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PMer friend 
the enemy 

BY 
HARRY VAN DEMARK 




THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 
PHILADELPHIA 



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I 

Her Friend the Enemy 



A War Drama in Four Acts 



BY 



HARRY VAN DEMARK 

Author of "THE TEXAN." "ALONG THE MISSOURI." etc. 




PHILADELPHIA 

THE PENN PUBLISHING COMPANY 

1911 






Copyright 1911 by The Penn Publishing Company 



lier friend the Enemy 

©CID 23180 



Her Friend, the Enemy 



CAST OF CHARACTERS 

Captain Jack Fernbrook, U. S. A. . . . Who holds 

honor above all 

Frank Fleming A scapegrace 

Colonel James Burton, C. S. A., With strong cofwictions 
Lieutenant Berkeley Burton, C. S. A. . . His son 

Zebediah Jenks Yank to the backbone 

LiGE A negro servant 

Diana Burton 0/ Richmond 

Mrs. Burton Her mother 

Addie Jenks Zebediah' s daughter 

Aunt Chloe Lige's better half 

Union and Confederate soldiers, etc. 

Time in Representation : — Two and a half hours. 



SYNOPSIS 



Act I. — Zebediah's farm in the Berkshire Hills of Massa- 
chusetts. (" Fort Sumter Has Fallen ! ") 

Act II. — Parlor of Colonel Burton's home in Richmond, 
April I, 1865. (The Return of the Old Love.) 

Act III. — The same, April 2. ("Sergeant, There Lies 
Your Man ! ") 

Act IV. — The same, April 3. (The Fate of a Traitor.) 

There is a lapse of four years between Acts I and II. The 
action of Acts II, III, and IV occurs on the day of the 
entrance of the Union army into Richmond and the 
two days preceding. 



COSTUMES AND CHARACTERISTICS 

All costumes and properties (such as pistols, for example) 
should be of the period of the Civil War, though ex- 
actness in this respect is not necessary to the success of 
the play. All the younger characters should appear a 
little older in Acts II, III and IV than in Act I. 

Jack Fernbrook. Act I, about twenty-one. Outdoor suit 
and hat, or West Pointer's uniform, if preferred. Acts 
II and III, faded blue trousers, no coat. Act IV, blue 
uniform of captain in Federal army. 

Frank Fleming. Civilian costume throughout. Act I, 
about twenty-one years of age. Outdoor suit and hat. 
Wears another suit in last three acts of play. May 
wear Confederate uniform in last three acts, if pre- 
ferred. 

Colonel Burton. About fifty. Uniform of Confederate 
colonel. 

Berkeley Burton. About thirty. Uniform of Confeder- 
ate lieutenant. 

Zebediah Jenks. About sixty. Farmer's costume, over- 
alls, straw hat, etc., in Act I. In Act IV, blue uni- 
form. 

LiGE. About fifty. Stout, and cheerful. Act I, plain 
dark suit and hat, and carries bundle. In other acts, 
indoor costume of Southern negro. 

Diana Burton. In Act I, about nineteen. Well dressed 
throughout, with indoor costumes. Change of cos- 
tume after Act I and may wear same costume in Acts 
II, III and IV, or a different costume in each, as pre- 
ferred. 

Mrs. Burton. About fifty. Well but plainly dressed. 
May wear same costume throughout. 

Addie Jenks. In Act I, about eighteen. Same costume 
directions as for Diana, except that in Act I her dress 
should appear rather more "countrified " than Diana's. 

Aunt Chloe. About fifty. Costume of colored " mammy " 
— apron, briglit turban, etc. 

A Few Soldiers, in Confederate and Federal uniforms. 



PROPERTIES 

Act I. — For Zebediah, old straps to represent harness, 
handkerchief. For Lige, bundle. 

Act II. — For Lige, duster, photograph, stool. For Mrs. 
Burton, call-bell. For Fleming, cigarette, paper, 
key. For Diana, book, revolver. For Berkeley, re- 
volver. 

Act III. — For Chloe, rope. For Fleming, revolver, note, 
paper, pen, ink. For Fernbrook, revolver. For 
Lige, revolver, handkerchief. 

Act IV. — For Lige, revolver, and old rag for polishing 
furniture. For Diana, book. For Fleming, key, re- 
volver. For Addie, fire-tongs. 

SCENE PLOTS 



Act I 



CANDi$QAP£ DaOJ9 


' 1 


1 


GATE 

\ 


re-j^cg 


IJi 


^^^CL tVOOO 


r r 


ty/NQa 


^£THOUi$e 


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Scene. — Zebediah 's farm in Massachusetts. Landscape 
drop, house, with porch and steps, and practicable 
door, r. Picket pence across back, with gate c. Tree 
and bench down c. Well up L. (may be omitted). 
Wood wings, l. 



SCENE PLOTS 




Scene. — Parlor in Colonel Burton's Richmond home. 
Practicable fireplace up c. Doors l. c. and r. Table 
and chairs down r. c. Rockers down r. and up l. 
Sofa down l. Bookcase l. 



Her Friend, the Enemy 



ACT I 

SCENE. — Lafidscape drop in 4 or ^, representing hills ^ 
dotted with farms. House with porch and steps ex- 
tending from R. I to ^. 3. Picket fence with practical 
gate c. , across stage at back. Trecy with rustic seat 
befteathy c. Well, up l. 

(^Discovered, Zebediah Jenks, sitting on bench under tree, 
mending harness and chewing tobacco vigorously. 
Finally lays harness dowji with a deep sigh.) 

Zeb. I reckon I'm a gol-dinged fool fer monkeyin' with 
theni old straps what have had their day long ago. 
Lemme see, now — why, I've had that 'ere set o' harness 
ever since I was married, an' that was nigh onto thirty 
year ago. Well, well — how time does fly ! Yes, sir, 
I'd hardly think it, but it's thirty year. {Laughter 
heard in house.) Now, listen at that, would ye? 
Them gals has been havin' a high ole time since Dianar 
come. They don't realize what a dark war cloud's 
hangin' over th* ken try. I s'pose events in this na- 
tion's hist'ry have about reached a crisis. (Medita- 
tively.) I — I wish Dianar wasn't from th' South, fer I 
love th' gal almost like she were my own darter, instid 
o' my niece. I s'pose sister Mary, an' Berkeley, an' 
th' ole colonel '11 shake me good an' proper when th' 
war breaks out. Guess they've shook me anyhow. 
Ain't none o* *em been near us, 'cept Dianar, since 
Mary went South to live. Well, we won't worry over 
th' matter, Zebediah, we won't worry over it. Th' 
Creator made all things as He wants 'em, an' I s'pose 
it'll all come out accordin' to Scriptur'. 

Addie Jenks (^from house). Papa ! Oh, papa ! 

Zeb. Yes, darter ; what be it ? 

7 



HER FRIEND, THE ENE3IY 



Addie. Well, where are you ? 
Zeb. Out here under th' tree. 

{Enter Addie atid Diana Burton /r^;;/ house.') 

Addie. Well, we've been hunting all over the place for 
you. 

Zeb. An' is this 'ere place so tarnation big 'at ye can't find 
yer ole pa when ye wants him? He! he! Who'd 
a-thunk it ? ( Chuckles softly. ) 

Addie. Stop your joking, for we've something to tell you. 
Haven't we, Diana? 

Diana. We surely have, and we've been searching every- 
where for you, and now we find you patching your old 
straps. 

Zeb. I'm seein' if I can't fix 'em so's they'll go till fall. 
Nothin' like economy, ye know. 

Addie. Oh, you're always saying that. We'd get along a 
lot better, if we spent a little money now and then. I 
wish I had the runnin' of the bank account. {To 
Diana.) Papa and I would have the time of our lives 
— you can bet on that. 

Diana. What would you do ? 

Addie. Well, first, I'd have about six new dresses — that 
is, summer dresses — and next fall I'd have six more for 
winter. I'd buy papa three new suits, two for every- 
day and one for Sunday. I'd have a lot of new dishes, 
a settee for the parlor, and then I'd get 

{Interrupted.') 

Zeb. {chuckling). Then you'd git up some mornin' an' 
wonder where th' bank account was. 

Diana. Your notions are too extravagant, Addie. I 
reckon, anyway, that Uncle Zeb can run the bank ac- 
count without your assistance. Can't you. Uncle 
Zeb? 

Zeb. {absently). H'm? Er — well, I should say so. 

Diana. Why, Uncle Zeb, what's the matter? I never 
knew you to look so solemn before. 

Zeb. I was jest thinkin' how much Addie reminds me o' 
her mother this mornin'. Molly an' me used to set out 
here under th' spreadin' branches o' this same ole oak. 
I like to think o' them days. Every time I'd come 
from town I'd find her waitin' here for me. An' when 
8 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



I'd spring out o* th' wagon, she'd run toward me, an* 
her arms'd close about me like a vise, till I'd fairly 
wonder at th' strength of 'em. She'd call me sweet 
names, an' pat my cheeks, an' smooth my hair, till I 
was fairly staggered with th' sweetness o' her. But 
them times is gone, an' Molly with 'em, an' — but 
pshaw ! there's no use grievin' over what can't be 
helped. 

(^Wipes eyes with handkerchief and sniffles a little,) 

Diana. Not a bit of use, Uncle Zeb. 

Addie. Well, I ain't worrying — at least, not over the 
things that have gone by. It's those that are coming 
that worry me. 

Zeb. Good reason, too. Sure as I'm a-settin* here there's 
a hot time ahead o' this kentry. Th' grumblin's have 
been growin' louder an' louder, jes' like Uncle Sam's 
big nation was a volcaner, gittin' ready to spit fire an' 
smoke. 

Diana. Do you really and truly think there will be war, 
Uncle Zeb ? 

Zeb. O' course there will. You women folks don't realize 
how ser'ous this 'ere business is. This war cloud's 
goin' to burst one o' these fine days, an' when she do, 
well, there'll be th' deuce to pay in earnest. 

Diana. I don't see why people cannot agree and remain at 
peace. War is such a terrible thing. 

Zeb. Folks can't agree, 'cause they wa'n't built that-a-way. 
Th' good Lord made 'em to side agin one annuther, I 
s'pose, an' that's what they been a-doin' ever since 
Adam an' Eve et th' ferbidden fruit, an' Cain knocked 
th' stuiiSn' out o* Abel. 

Addie. Well, I'm glad I'm not a man. Women folks may 
be poor innocent creatures, but they don't have to 
shoulder a gun and fight each other. 

Zeb. No; women ain't built that-a-way, tho' they gits 
somewhat rambunkshus at times. A woman's borned 
to be looked at, an' do th' housework. A man feels 
proud o' a good woman. 

Diana. Especially if she can add beauty to her other 
virtues — eh, Uncle Zeb ? 

Zeb. Oh, th' looks don't count fer so much. 

9 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Addie. Well, I s'pose handsome is as handsome does, but 
it saves a lot of trouble to be born good-looking. 

Zeb. Oh, a combination o' looks an' quality ain't sich a 
bad idee, come to think over it. {Hising, he walks up 
toward the gate, shading his eyes luith his hajid.) 
Huh ! There's some feller jest a-steppin' it up the 
road. I never see a man walk so fast in all my life. 
Wonder who it kin be ? (Addie and Diana peer over 
his shoulder.) See, there he is — no, that-a-way. Now ! 
D'ye see him? (The girls nod.) 

Addie. Why, it's an old negro. VVhat can he be wanting 
out this way? Some poor tramp, 1 suppose. Come, 
Diana, let's go and get him something to eat, and a 
glass of cool water. It's a pretty warm day for April. 

Zeb. Well, ye'd better hurry. He'll be here in a minute. 
I'll stop him, if he don't do it hisself. (^Exeunt T>ia.]^ a 
and Addie into house.) H'm — there's durn few nig- 
gers around these parts. Hope it ain't no fugitive 
slave. I don't wanter git mixed up in no scrape like 
that. Well, I'll hail 'im. {Cups hands at mouth and 
calls.) Hello, there ! {Pause.) He didn't hear me. 
I say, hello, there ! 

LiGE {off I..). Hello, yo'self, sah ! 

{Enter Lige, along fence at back, and stops before gate, ) 

Zeb. Howdy do — where might ye be goin' ? 

Lige. I's lookin' fer a plantation, sah. 

Zeb. \y'yQ think this is Virginny, er South Caroliny ? We 

calls 'em farms up here. 
Lige. I don't know nuffin' 'bout dat, sah, but I's got ter 

find Mistah Zeberdiar Jenks. 
Zeb. H'm. Have, eh? 
Lige. Yas'r. I wants him bad, sah. Does yo' happen tuh 

know him ? 
Zeb. Yep — known him fer over fifty year. That's me 

I'm Zebediah Jenks. Now, what kin I do fer ye? 
Lige {his voice trembling). I wants tuh see mah Miss 

Dianar. I's come all de way frum Virginny ter see 

dat gal — mah lil* missy ! 
Zeb. {delighted). So you're Lige, eh ? Shake ! O' course 

ye kin see Dianar. She'll be out in a minute, so come 

in an' sit down. But what in th' name o' time brings 

ye way up here, an' what news d'ye bring o* th* war ? 

lO 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



LiGE {e7itering through gate^ he deposits bundle on porch). 
Well, sah, I reckon dey's suah ernuff gwine ter fight, 
'cause Marse Kunnel he done send me all de way up 
heah ter brung lil' missy home. Says he tuh me: 
"Lige, yo' git dat gal o' mine, an' under no circum- 
squenches fail ter take care ob her. " An' I says : * ' Marse 
Kunnel, 1 'cepts de trust — yo' lil' gal shall be safe in 
yo' arms jes' as soon as I kin bring her to yuh." So 
dat's how I comes ter be heah, sah. 

Zeb. {testily). Why didn't Burton come hisself? Is he 
'fraid o' his kin folks ? 

LiGE. He's done been 'pinted to a command in de Confed'- 
rate ahmy, sah, an' he's got all de work he can ten' ter 
a-drillin' sogers. He'd like t' hab come, but he jes' 
couldn't get ervvay, an* de same wif Marse Berkeley. 

{Enter Addie and Diana from house, the former carrying 
a tray.) 

Diana {starting). Why, it's Lige ! 

(LiGE rushes over, and seizing her hands, drops on his knees 
iti front of her.) 

LiGE. Lil' missy — lil' missy ! Hit suah does dese ole eyes 
good ter see yo'-all once mo'. 

Diana. Well, get up and tell me what this means. You 
don't bring me bad news ? 

Lige. Well, I reckon hit could be wuss, lil' missy. De 
kunnel hab done sent fo' yo* ter come home. 

Diana. To come home ? Then there is to be war, after 
all. 

Lige. Yas'm, an' de kunnel he say yo' mus' get home 
afore hit starts. You'll come, won't yo', lil* missy? 

Diana. Why, of course, Lige. We'll start to-night. 

Addie. Oh, say, this is a shame — that's what it is. Why, 
she ain't been here a week, and here you come pulling 
her away, and all on account of some old war they 
think is going to happen. 

Zeb. There, now, Addie. You're gabbin' 'bout somethin' 
ye don't know nothin' 'bout. James Burton's sent fer 
Dianar, an' it ain't fer us to go agin his wishes. {Takes 
Diana's hand.) Gal, your Uncle Zeb hates to see ye 
go, but I s'pose it's all fer th' best. Ye couldn't be 
contented so far from yer folks, an' them a-fightin'. 
II 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Addie. I jest knew something' d have to happen to spoil 

our good time. 
Zeb. Well, Dianar's got all day t' stay yet. The train 

won't leave till seven o'clock. 
Diana. And we needn't be separated long, Addie, dear; 

for you can come to Richmond in spite of the war. 
Addie. Yes, and get shot up into little, teeny, tiny bits. 

Oh, no — excuse me ! 
Zeb. {scratching head). That gives me an idee. Ye see, 

when this here war breaks out I'm goin' to th' front if 

they'll have me, an' it's been botherin' me as t' what 

I'm goin' to do with Addie. So Dianar, why can't ye 

take her along with ye t' Richmond ? 
Diana {delighted). To-night, Uncle Zeb ? 
Zeb. Sure. 

Addie. Oh, pa, to-night? Won't that be fine? 
Zeb. Th' war ain't goin' t' last long, if it starts, an' when 

it's over Addie can come back an' bring you with her, 

Dianar. 
Diana. It could not be arranged to please me more. 
Addie. And I'm so tickled that I can't wait till train time. 

{Enter Frank Fleming, through gate from l.) 

Fleming. Good-morning, all. {Comes down c.) 

Zeb. Well, if it ain't Frank Fleming, come home from 

West P'int. 
Fleming. You've hit the nail squarely on the head, Mr. 

Jenks. How do you do. Miss Burton — I haven't seen 

you since your last visit to the Point. 
Diana {giving him her hand). How are you, sir ? 
Fleming {taki?ig Addie's hand). And my little country 

belle — how is she ? 
Addie. Oh, I'm all right, Frank, only you should have 

written me. 
Fleming. To tell the truth, I didn't know I was coming 

until the last moment. I arrived only an hour ago. 
Zeb. Vacation ? 
Fleming. No — er — that is — well, I wanted to see my folks 

before the war is on, you know. 
Addie. But Frank, where' s your uniform ? 
Fleming. Why, you see, 1 — I've just changed to citizen's 

clothes — more appropriate for the country, don't you 

think ? 

12 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Zeb. An' what do you think about the war ? 

Fleming. Bound to come — just as inevitable as — well, as 

fate. 
Zeb. And you'll be fightin' fer th' North, of course ? 
Fleming. Well, now, do you know, I haven't decided. 
Zeb. What's that ? Why, it don't seem to me that a West 

P' inter could have any choice. 
Fleming {laughing lightly). Well, the South needs West 

Pointers, too, doesn't it ? 
Addie. You should be ashamed to talk that way. 
Fleming. Oh, come, Addie, don't be hard on a fellow. I 

suppose after all I shall fight for the North. 
Addie (laying a hand on his shoulder). Do it, Frank, to 

please me. 
Fleming. I'd do most anything for you, Addie. 
Diana. Will you excuse me ? I am going to see about 

packing my trunk. 
Fleming. You are not leaving, Miss Burton ? 
Diana. Yes; I go South to-night. (Turns.) Come, 

Lige — I shall need your help. I trust I shall see you 

later, Mr. Fleming. 
Fleming. I shall make it a point to see you before I leave, 

Miss Burton. 

(Exeunt into house, Diana and Lige.) 

Zeb. (laying a hand on Fleming's shoulder). I reckon 
you was jokin' about bein' undecided, wa'n't you, 
Frank? If it comes to war, you'll fight to preserve th' 
Union, won't ye? 

Fleming. Mr. Jenks, you may rest assured that I shall be 
on the right side. 

Zeb. Yes? Well, that's good. I'd kinder hate t' see a 
fine young feller like you go t' th' bad. 

(Exit, R.) 

Addie. I hate to see you go to the front, Frank ; but I 

know it's your duty. 
Fleming. Does it mean so much to you, Addie ? 
Addie, You know without asking. But what's the matter, 

Frank? Something has happened — something which 

you are afraid to tell me. What is it ? 

13 



BER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Flkming (jmeasiiy). No ; you're wrong, Addie. Noth- 
ing — nothing unusual — has happened. 

Addie. Look me in the eye ! There's no use tryin' to 
deceive me. We've known each other since we were 
little playmates at school. Now, tell me — are you 
going to fight for the North ? 

Fleming (evasively). Addie, you haven't said anything to 
your father about — about us? 

Addie. No ; I haven't dared. Wait till the war is over. 
When you come home covered with glory, I am sure 
he will be glad to welcome you as his son, 

Fleming (caressing her). It's all right, then. Now, I 
want to ask a favor. 

Addie. A favor ? 

Fleming. Yes ; I want a few words with Miss Burton, just 
to talk over old times, you know. You see she 
worships West Point, and any news is sure to be wel- 
come. Will you ask her to come out here and leave 
us alone for a few minutes ? 

Addie (slowly). I — I — why, yes, of course, if you say so, 
Frank. I'll tell her this minute. But — Frank 

Fleming. Yes. 

Addie. You'll — you'll see me again before you go ? 

Fleming. Yes, as often as you wish, only do as I ask. 

Addie. All right, Frank. 

(Exit into house ^ slowly , looking over her shoulder.) 

Fleming. Poor, foolish little chit. Believes everything I 
tell her. But she'll serve ray purpose well. It won't 
do to tell these people that I've been drummed out of 
West Point in disgrace. But if all goes smoothly with 
the fair Diana, I go South to fight. If not, I may slick 
to the North, and no one will be the wiser. 

(Enter Y^iMiA.,from house.) 

Diana. Addie said you wished to see me alone, Mr. 

Fleming ? 
Fleming. Yes — I — I — that is, just a few moments, if it 

isn't asking too much. 
Diana. Very well, sir. 
Fleming Will you be seated ? 
Diana. Yes, thank you. (Sits under tree.) 
Fleming. The — the matter about which I wish to speak, 

14 



HER FRIEND, THE ENE3fY 



Miss Burton, has long laid heavily on ray mind. Ever 
since I first saw you at the ball at West Point 1 have 
worshipped you. 
Diana (^rising). Mr. Fleming, I 

(^Inierrtipted. Addie appears in doorway ^ listenmg.') 

Fleming. Hear me out. Miss Burton. You have been 
very gracious to me, and have, I know, never offered 
me more than an ordinary degree of encouragement. 
But I can no longer remain silent. War is almost 
upon us, and I feel that a question of such importance 
to me should be settled before I depart for the front. 

(^Varying emotions show themselves on the face ^ Addie.) 

Diana (coolly). As you say, sir, I have given you no 
encouragement. Why, then, should you presume? 

Fleming. Because I love you. That is my only excuse. 
1 have hoped against hope almost that you could find 
it possible to give me at least a corner in your heart. 
Miss Burton. It would seem strange, I know, that a 
girl so sweet and beautiful as yourself should care for 
rae. But the suspense had grown unbearable. Can 
you give me no assurance that you might learn to love 
me ? 

Diana. I trust I shall always regard you as a friend, Mr. 
Fleming. 

Fleming (taking a step toward her). Nothing closer than 
a friend. Miss Burton ? 

Diana. Nothing. 

Fleming. For the present, then, I shall bow to the inevi- 
table. But I shall win you yet. You are the only girl 
I have ever loved or ( Interrupted. ) 

Addie (running quickly c.). Oh, you deceiver, you mean, 
despicable wretch ! 

(Fists clenched J she faces him, panting.') 

Fleming (after looking at her for a moment, laughing). I 
thought my little scheme would work. So you've been 
listening ? 

Addie. Yes, I have; but you lied to her — I say you lied ! 

Fleming. Well, have it that way, if you wish. (Turns 
aivay.) However, I may as well tell you that I was 

15 



HER FRIEND, TEE ENEMY 



talking in that manner to Miss Burton to test your love 

for me. I knew all the time you were standing in the 

doorway. 
Addie. I don't believe you ! 
Fleming. Then there is no need for explanations. In 

spite of all you have told me, you do not love nw.. I 

might have known you would have doubted me. 
Addie (^seizing his hand). Frank, don't talk that way to 

me. You'll break my heart. 1 do love you — I do — I 

do. Please do not doubt me. 
Fleming {assuming anger). Well, you have a poor way of 

showing it. 
Addie. I'll — I'll admit it was wrong to listen ; but — but 

it meant so much to me. 
Diana. Suppose, Addie, we give Mr. Fleming the benefit 

of the doubt. If he really made a declaration of love 

to me for the purpose of testing you, he cannot fail to 

be satisfied with the result. 
Fleming {bowing). Thank you. Miss Burton. 
Addie. Say you forgive me, Frank, and I'll ne\'er doubt 

you again. 
Fleming. Of course, I forgive you. {Puts arjn around 

her. To Diana.) Miss Burton, I trust you will not 

mention this little affair to Mr. Jenks. 
Addie {quickly). No — no; don't tell papa for anything, 

Diana. 
Diana. You may trust me. 

{Enter Zeb., r. At the approach of her father, Addie has 
separated herself from Fleming's embrace.) 

Addie. I thought you had gone to town, papa. 

Zeb. Jest where I'm makin' for now, Addie. I'm goin* 
tuh git th* mail, an' see if there's any news from Wash- 
ington. I'll be back presendy. 

{Exit, through gate, filling a?id lighting his pipe.) 

Fleming. Come, Addie, let's take a stroll in the garden. 
I've something to tell you. I am sure Miss Burton will 
excuse us. 

Diana. Indeed, yes, {Exeunt Fleming and Addie back 

of house. Diana seaJs herself on bench under tree.) 

Now, I wonder what he means ? I don't like his looks, 

and never did. He seemed terribly in earnest in telling 

i6 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



me of his love. I don't believe I would care to trust a 
man like that. Perhaps, though, as he says, he was 
testing Addie's love. {^Etiter Captain Jack Fern- 
brook through gate from l. PauseSy when he sees 
Diana, then tiptoes softly dow?i behind tree, and reach- 
ing aroiifid, puts his hands over her eyes. She starts, 
but quickly recovers herself and laughs.) You thought 
to fool me, didn't you, Lige ? {No answer. Fern- 
brook, s?niling, peeps from behind the tree.) There, 
now, Lige; that will do. You may release me. {To 
herself, suddenly.) Perhaps it isn't Lige. No; it's 
Uncle Zeb. He didn't go to the village after all. 
(Fernbrook, peeping around, grins broadly.) How 
about it, Uncle Zeb? I've guessed you, so please take 
your hands away. {No answer.) Who are you, any- 
way? I demand to know who is taking such liberties 
with my eyes. {Laughs.) 

Fernbrook {disguising voice to a deep bass). Guess again ! 

Diana. Oh, I know you now. You are Mr. Fleming. 

Fernbrook. Mr. Fleming ! To think of all the people in 
the world, you should guess that fellow. 

{Releasing her, he goes down r.) 

Diana {delighted, springing up). Jack ! 

{She rushes to him, seizing his hands. He looks cautiously 
around, and seeing no one takes her in his arms and 
kisses her.) 

Fernbrook. For that kiss, all is forgiven ! 

Diana. Well, don't smother me. {He releases her.) 
When did you come ? 

Fernbrook. On the train, not an hour ago. I'd have 
been here sooner, but I stopped to see my mother. 

Diana. Mothers before sweethearts, eh ? 

Fernbrook. It's not that. She was expecting me — wait- 
ing for me. 

Diana. You say you came on the train an hour ago ? 

Fernbrook. Yes. 

Diana. Then you saw Mr. Fleming ? 

Fernbrook. Yes. Has he been out here ? 

Diana. He is here now. He and Addie have gone for a 
stroll in the garden. 

17 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Fernbrook. H'm. I shall keep my eye on him. If 

Addie knew of his conduct at VVest Point, she 

(^Interrupted. ) 

Diana. His conduct ? What do you mean ? 

Fernbrook. I — I — don't ask me now. I can't tell you. 
I 

Diana. How long are you going to stay ? 

Fernbrook. I am on leave of absence, pending a settlement 
of this dispute between the North and South. I wanted 
to see my mother, and you, girlie, before trouble breaks 
out in earnest. 

Diana. Tell me. Jack, are we really, truly, going to have 
war ? 

Fernbrook. There is not the slightest doubt of it. The 
South still insists that she has a right to withdraw from 
the Union. We must teach her a lesson. She must 
know what it means to rebel against the Federal gov- 
ernment. 

Diana (draiuing aivay). You cannot slander the South in 
my presence, sir. You forget that I am a Southern 
girl! 

Fernbrook {seizing her hand). Forgive me, Diana. I 
did forget. Not for anything in the world would I 
give offense to you. But we cannot all think alike, you 
know. 

Diana. Oh, Jack, I wish you, too, were for the South. 

Fernbrook. I know you do, girlie — I know you do, but — 
well, let's not speak of that now. I {Inter- 
rupted. ) 

Diana {archly). Are you sure I could not win you over? 

Fernbrook. Quite sure. My decision is made. Nothing 
could make me alter it. 

Diana. Not even the girl you love ? 

Fernbrook {slowly). No ; not even the girl I love ! 

{Enter Addie and Fleming front behind house.) 

Addie. Why, there's Jack Fernbrook ! (To Fleming.) 

Why didn't you tell us that Jack came, too ? 
Fleming {carelessly). To tell the truth, I had forgotten it. 
Addie. I'm so glad to see you, Jack. 

{They shake hands.) 
Fernbrook. And I you, Addie. 

i8 



HER FBIEiM), THE ENEMY 



(He looks sternly at Fleming, who walks over and coolly 
offers his hand. Fernbkook gives it a contemptuous 
glance and turns down stage to Diana.) 

Fleming {shrugging shoulders). Oh, as you will. 

Addie (Jo Fernbrook). What do you mean by not taking 

Frank's hand when he offers it in a friendly manner ? 

You've no right to treat a friend of mine that way. 
Fernbrook. Pardon me, but 1 have every right to treat 

Mr. Fleming that way. 
Addie. What has he done to you ? 
Fernbrook. I decline to say. If Mr. Fleming wishes to 

tell you he may. 
Addie {turning to Fleming). Frank, what does he mean ? 
Fleming. I am at a loss to know. 

{Smiles sneer ingly at Fernbrook.) 
Fernbrook. Will you force me to tell them ? 

(Diana goes up near gate, as if to avoid discussion.') 

Fleming. It is immaterial to me ; suit your pleasure. 

Diana. There is some one coming up the road in a hurry. 

Addie. It may be papa. {Goes up, shades eyes with 
hand and looks off i..) It is, and he's terribly excited 
over something. What can be the matter with him? 

Fleming {turni?ig). Nothing serious, I hope. He prob- 
ably has news. 

Addie {calling). What's the matter, papa — what's the 
matter? 

{Enter Zeb. on the run, pausing at gate to catch his 
breath.) 

Fernbrook. What is it, Mr. Jenks ? Is there news from 

the front ? 
Zeb. News? Well, I should say so, and bad news, too. 

Th' war is on. 
Fernbrook. The war is on ? Tell us — how do you know ? 
Zeb. I met Bill Smith. He — he says they just got news 

at th' tellygraph office that Fort Sumter has fallen. 
Fernbrook. Good heavens ! Tell us about it. Was the 

loss heavy ? 
Zeb. {as all come down stage). Th' loss wasn't much — 

19 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



that is, not in men. Beauregard had the fort sur- 
rounded, an' upon Major Anderson's refusal t' surren- 
der he opened lire. Anderson give 'em hot shot fer 
thirty blessed hours. Then his ammynition run low 
an' he had to haul down his flag. President Lincoln 
has called for 75,000 troops. 

Fernbrook. That means to the front for me ! I had 
hoped affairs might reach an amicable settlement with- 
out resort to arms, though it was almost hoping against 
hope. But this is the crisis. It will set the country 
aflame from coast to coast. 

Fleming. I've heard nothing but war, war, until I'm sick 
and tired of it. What do they want to fight for ? 

Fernbrook. They want to fight because it is bred in the 
bone of every true American to defend his flag from 
dishonor. They want to fight because they are men ! 

Fleming. And I suppose that is why you are going to 
the front ? 

Fernbrook. I'm going because I would be ashamed to be 
found at home in a time like this, and if you've the 
least spark of manhood left in you, you'll fight, too, 
and try and undo the dirty piece of work you did at 
West Point. 

Zeb. Eh ? What's this ? What did he do at West Point, 
Jack? 

Fernbrook. Never mind what he did, Mr. Jenks. It was 
enough to cause his dismissal in disgrace. 

Fleming. No one but a sneak would tell tales on a fellow 
officer. 

Fernbrook {looking him over with cofitempt). Fellow 
officer? You're no fellow officer of mine. As for 
giving you away, remember, I warned you. 

Addie (over to Fleming). Frank, are you going to let 
him say these things to you? Why don't you deny 
these accusations ? 

Fleming {angrily). I don't deny them because they are 
partly true, and because I don't care who knows it. 

Addie. And — and you didn't tell me? Did you think 
that could make any difference in my love 

Zeb. Your love ? Do you mean that you love Fleming ? 

(Addie hangs head.) 
Fleming. Addie, listen to me (Starts toward her.) 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Zeb. {getting between them). No ; she won't listen to you, 
but you'll listen to me. So you've been makin' love to 
my little girl, have you, Frank Fleming ? 

Fleming. Why, yes, I 

Zeb. To-day ? 

Fleming. Why, yes, Mr. Jenks. We were renewing old 
friendships and 

Zeb. And you made love to her after you have been kicked 
out of the military school in disgrace, did ye ? 

Fleming. Mr. Jenks, I 

Zeb. {sternly, arm extended). Mr. Fleming, there's the 
gate ! And if you don't take your cowardly carcass 
through it as quick as ye know how, some one else'lldo 
it fer ye. 

Fleming. You'll be sorry for this ! 

Zeb. Maybe so, but I'm willin' to take th' risk. Be ye 
goin' ? {Moves toward him.) 

Fleming. Yes, yes ; I'm going. {He goes slowly up stage 
and turfis.) I'll go down to Richmond. President 
Jefferson Davis will be glad to secure my services. 
He's a West Pointer himself. 

Fernbrook. If you mention yourself in connection with 
West Point again, I'll thrash you within an inch of your 
life. 

Fleming {laughing). Oh, I'll keep still now, seeing I'm in 
the enemy's country. But you haven't seen the last of 
me, Mr. Fernbrook, and when we meet again perhaps 
you'll realize there are better men in the world than 
you, 

Fernbrook. There are better men in the world than I. 
Fleming — but you're not one of them ! 

Fleming. I'll show you some of these fine daj^s. 

Fernbrook. By that time I shall have learned how to deal 
out fitting punishment to traitors. 

Fleming. It grieves me painfully to take leave of such 
charming company. (Addie cries on Diana's shoul- 
der.) Miss Burton, I shall see you in Richmond — 
perhaps. 

Diana {giving him a contemptuous glance). The South can 
fight her battles without such men as you, sir. 

Fleming. Oh, well, it's nice to stand high in regard of 
your friends. Good-bye ! 

{Lifts hat and exits, laughing, through gate to L.) 

21 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Addie (throtving herself in her father's arms). Oh, papa, 
why couldn't he have been a man, and fought for his 

country? I loved him {Sobs.) Oh, I loved 

him so much ! 

Zeb. (petting her). What's that? What's that? Why, 
ye never ought to wasted a thought on th' wu'thless 
scamp. Ye never told me about it. 

Addie. I knew you'd never give your consent. 

Zeb. {sternly). You're right there. There, there, Addie, 
gal. Don't take on so. Remember you're goin' down 
to Virginny with Dianar. {Leads her sobbitig toward 
house.) There, now, little gal — there, there ! 

{Exeu?it.) 

Diana. Poor girl ! Her heart is broken. 

Fernbrook. Yes ; but it is far the better way. Fleming 
would never have been true to her. (Pause.) Diana, 
do you realize what this war means to you and me ? 

Diana {slozvly, thoughtfully). Yes; it means separation, 
perhaps forever. 

Fernbrook. No, no, not that. The war will be of short 
duration, then we will see each other again. 

Diana {bitterly). And do you think I could continue to 
love a man who is an enemy of my country ? 

Fernbrook {up to her). An enemy to your section, per- 
haps, but not to your country — or to you ! 

Diana {earnestly y hands on his shoulders). Oh, why won't 
you fight for the South, Jack — and for me ? You say 
you love me. I believe you. You know I love you in 
return, for I have told you so. 

Fernbrook. Don't talk that way, Diana. God knows, I 
love you better than life itself. For months I have seen 
you in my dreams — have seen you everywhere — have 
had eyes or ears for nothing else. Once this morning 
I even thought I might be happy with you in some spot 
far away from this bloody strife that is bound to come. 
But I was mistaken ; I could not. That would be dis- 
honor. 

Diana {slowly ^ hands on his shoulders again). But would 
it be dishonor? Think ! you would be a captain, per- 
haps a major or a colonel in the army of the South 

Fernbrook. Diana, would you have me desert my coun- 
try at the time she needs me? You are asking me to 

22 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



lose my honor and cause pain to that mother who expects 
me to make an honorable name for myself. A good 
name is the most precious thing God can bestow upon 
us, and as long as my duty points as it does, I must — 
I will — fight for the Union ! 

Diana (turning away). Then so be it. But you have had 
your chance — remember that. 

Fernbrook. Ves; I'll remember it. And I'll remember 
that you whom I love, in whom I had implicit faith, 
asked me to desert my country — lose honor, the esteem 
of my mother, everything. 

(He starts quickly for the gate.') 

Diana (running after him). No, no; I did not mean 
that, Jack. (He stops.) Don't go away in anger. 

Fernbrook. Then tell me you are going to wait for me 
until the war is over ? 

Diana. But have you any more reason to ask that of me 
than I have to ask you to fight for the South ? I do 
not say there is no hope for you, but pledge myself to 
an enemy of my country, of my people, I will not ! 

Fernbrook. You do not trust me, and where trust is lack- 
ing there can be no love. 

Diana. Jack ! 

Fernbrook. It is true, Diana. You think because I will 
not desert the North, I do not love you as I should, but 
some day you will realize that a man may place his 
duty above everything and still love a woman better 
than anything in the world. Good-bye ! 

(He starts again, she seizing his arm.) 

Diana. Don't go off this way, Jack. Think — you may 
never see me again. Jack, I love you better than I love 
my mother, better than anything, better even than life 
itself. Now, will you go with me to Richmond ? 

{She tries to put her arms around his neck. He seizes them 
and thrusts her away. ) 

Fernbrook. Diana, if you love me, why do you tempt 
me ? Isn't this parting hard enough without that ? I 
dare not let you put your arms about me — I dare not ! 
But remember, though I left you when duty called me, 

23 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



I loved you, and will always love you. Good-bye ! 
Good-bye ! 

{He pushes her gently away, and she falls sobbing 07i the 
bench under tree. Fernbrook niarches swiftly through 
gate, without turnings ajid exits to l. Diana looks up, 
and seeing he has gone, stretches her arms toward him}) 

Diana. Jack ! My Jack ! Come back to me, Jack. I 
was only putting you to the test. I did not mean a 
word of what I said. Come back to me — oh, come 
back ! 

{She cries out hysterically and falls sobbing on the bench 
again. ^ 

{Enter Zeb. and Kdjue. from house. Zee. lifts her gently 
to her feet. ^ 

Zeb. What's th* matter, Dianar, gal? What's th' matter? 

Diana. He's gone, Uncle Zeb — gone off to war. But he 
loves me — he loves me. I tempted him, but he was 
true to his country, Uncle Zeb — as true as steel ! 

Zeb. Thank God, Dianar, that there's one man ain't been 
found wan tin'. 

{He leads her slowly toward porch, Addie following. 
Diana is still sobbifig softly.) 



curtain 



24 



ACT II 

SCENE. — Parlor J with large olil-fashioned fireplace a7id 
chimney C, at back. Must be practical. Small table 
R. c, with a chair on eitJier side. Table contains 
books, newspapers, and a lamp. Ma7itel above fire- 
place is filled with bric-d-brac a?id several photographs, 
also a vase contaifiing a bunch of freshly-cut roses. 
Down L. is a sofa, dow7i r. a rocker, with another up 
7iear l. upper. Bookcase l., about c. E7itrances l. c. 
and R. u. 

{Discovered — Lige, shuffli7ig slowly about, dusti7ig the fur- 
7iiture and ivhistli7ig. He pauses sudde7ily in thought- 
ful attitude. His whistling stops. Ready Aunt Chloe 
to enter l. c. d.) 

Lige. Well, fo' de Lavvd's sake, ef I ain't been tryin' ter 
git dis yere room clean fo' er whole hour. But jes' as 
soon's I git de dust brushed off'n one cheer, hit's done 
settled on annuder. Dat sofy look lak hit nebber had 
been dusted, an' I's been ober hit fo' times. {Sud- 
denly takes photo fro7n 7nantel.^ Bless grashus ! Who's 
dis? Well, ef hit ain't dat skunk ob a spy what wuz 
heah las' week, den mah name ain't Lige Burton. 
{Replaci7ig picture, he sta7ids with folded arms gazi7ig 
at it.) I don' know why, Mistah Fleming, but I's got 
er sneakin' idee in mah cranium dat you'd kill yo' own 
m udder fo' money. {Resu7)ies dusting, stoppi7ig agai7i 
after a 77io77ie7it.) I wondah jes' what lil' missy t'inks 
ob him, anyhow? I knows he's dead gone on her. 
Like ez not he'll try en steal her one ob dese fine days. 
I'll jes' keep mah right eye peeled fer dat feller — dat's 
what I'll do. {Dusts agai7i.') 

{E7iter Chloe, l. c. d.) 

Chloe (stops, survey i7ig ///;«). What yo' mutterin' about, 

anyhow ? 
Lige. Ain't mutterin'. 
Chloe. I 'clar' fo' goodness I heered yo' jabberin' to yuh- 

self. 

25 



EEB FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



LiGE. Dat wasn't no jabber. 

Chloe. What wuz hit ? 

LiGE. Merely an articulation ob words. 

Chloe. Er what ? 

LiGE. I had ercasion tuh remark dat it wuz an articulation 

ob words. 
Chloe (hand to her face). Well, fo' de Lawd's sake ! 

Did yo* really pronounce dat word, er is I dreamin' ? 
LiGE. Course I pronounce hit. 
Chloe. An' yer jaw ain't tired ? 
LiGE. Course not. Mah jaw don't git tired, Chloe. Yo* 

needn't t'ink 'cause yo's got de circumlocution ob de 

gastric membrane, dat I's got de same, fo' I ain't. 
Chloe. My, my ! Whar yo' git dem big words ? 
LiGE. Out ob mah haid ; where yo' s'pose ? 
Chloe. Well, yo' jes' keep 'em in yo' ole haid when I's 

eround. {Looks about critically.) Hab yo' got dis 

yere room dissected clean ? 
LiGE. Dissected ! He, he ! Reckon I hab. At least I 

did hab till yo' come in yere an' brung de dust an' dirt 

all back wif yo'. 
Chloe. Does yo' mean tuh inskinuate? 
LiGE. Inskinuate? What am dat ? 
Chloe. Does yo' mean tuh say dat youse so ignorant yuh 

don't know what skinuatin' is? 
LiGE. Dat's jes' hit, Chloe. I ain't skinuatin', is I? 
Chloe. Yes ; you is. 
LiGE {looking carefully at backs of hands). I ain't missed 

none ob hit. 
Chloe. Ain't missed none ob what ? 
LiGE. None ob my skin. Yo' said I was skinuatin'. 
Chloe. Yo' nebber will git no sense. I's gwine tuh — 

tuh 

LiGE. No yuh ain't — no yuh ain't — yo' ain't gwine tuh, 

neither {They wrangle ad lib.) 

{Enter Mrs. Burton, r. u. e.) 

Mrs. B. Here, what's the matter with you two ? 

{They separate quickly, Lige going doiun R., Chloe down 
L. Mrs. B. comes down c. They look at her sheepishly.) 

LiGE. Why, missus — I — I 

Mrs. B. Well, get out of here, both of you. You shouldn't 

26 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



have left your kitchen work, Chloe. Remember we are 
to have a guest for the evening meal. 
Chloe. Yas, missus; I's gvvine right back to de kitchen, 
dis minute. 

(^Exit quickly y l. c. d.) 

Mrs. B. And you, Lige, may rake up the trash in the 
back yard 



Lige. But, missus, Marse Kunnei said 'fore he left 

Mrs. B. {sternly^. Did you hear me ? 

Lige. Yas'm; 1 heerd yuh. I's gvvine. But don't sit on 

de sofy, missus, 'cause I's only dusted hit foah times, 

en I's erfraid hit ain't clean yit. 

(^Exitj laughmg, L. c. D.) 

Mrs. B. {in chair at table). How willing, how happy I 
would be to sacrifice everything to be as happy as Lige 
and Chloe. (Sig/is.) But it was not so ordained, I 
fear. 

(Enter Colonel James Burton, l. c. d.) 

Colonel. Ah, Mary ! 

Mrs. B. James ! {They embrace and kiss.) 

Colonel. Back for a day or so to see you and the old 
home before we are forced to evacuate the city. 

Mrs. B. I'hen it is true that the Federal army is so near ? 

Colonel. Yes \ it is only too true. But three trenches 
remain in our possession in front of the city. Gradu- 
ally the lines of blue have drawn closer until we are 
hemmed in like bulls in a pen, with no way of escape 
except to beat an ignominious retreat. It is hard for a 
Southern soldier to retreat, Mary, but there are times 
when discretion is the better part of valor. 

Mrs. B. And when will the city be evacuated ? 

Colonel. Either to-morrow or the day following. To hold 
out longer would be folly. It would mean the needless 
sacrifice of our men. 

Mrs. B. Have you seen our boy recently, James ? 

Colonel. Yes ; I saw Berkeley to-day. He is on duty at 
Libby Prison, where the most valuable of the Yankee 
prisoners are kept. He will no doubt get leave of ab- 
sence and run up here to-day. 

Mrs. B. Oh, it is terrible, this war, but if it spares you 

27 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



and Berkeley to me, James, we can at least have a 
quiet home somewhere and live our declining years in 
peace. 

Colonel. You are right, Mary, and that brings me to a 
subject on which I wish to consult you. As you know, 
our fortunes are at the present moment at an extremely 
low ebb ; yet I have hopes of regaining lost ground ere 
long. Er — where is Diana ? 

Mrs. B. She is in her room; I'll send for her. {Taps 
hell.) These long days of anxiety have imposed a 
severe strain both on Diana and Addie. {Enter Lige, 
L. c. D.) Tell Diana her father is here, Lige. 

Lige. Yas'm ; I's gwine. 

{Crosses to R. Exit, r, u. e.) 

Mrs. B. This war has cut short Diana's girlhood, trans- 
forming her into a matured woman when she should 
still be in the flower of her youth. 

Colonel. I know — I know. It's too bad, but there was 
no other way. I have hopes that I feel will brighten 
her future as well as my own. 

{Enter Diana, r. u. -e., followed by Lige, who crosses to 
l. c. d., and exits.) 

Diana. Papa ! 

Colonel. Diana, my girl ! {Takes her in his arms.) 

Diana. I had no idea we would see you to-day. Have 
you any news of brother ? 

Colonel. Yes; Berkeley is in Richmond, on special duty 
at Libby Prison, and will no doubt make his presence 
known to you at the first opportunity. By the way, 
while it is on my mind, have Aunt Chloe prepare one 
of her famous suppers. We are to have company for 
the evening meal. 

Diana. Company, papa ? 

Colonel. Yes; a gentleman whom, I trust, you will be 
very glad to see — Frank Fleming. 

Diana. Frank Fleming ! Is that man coming here again ? 
Why did you ask him ? 

Colonel {surprised). Why, I didn't know he was so re- 
pulsive to you. Why do you dislike him ? 

Diana. I don't know; but I would give anything I possess 



to avoid meeting him. 



28 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Colonel. Oh, come; this is some foolish prejudice, and 
you are carrying it too far. I noticed that you 
treated him rather coolly when he was here last week, 
but I thought it was because you were not sufficiently 
acquainted with him. 

Diana. I despise him ! 

Mrs. B. Diana ! 

Diana. Well, 1 do. What's the use of saying I don't when 
I do? 

Colonel. It is prejudice of some sort, I tell you. I want 
Fleming treated as he deserves to-night. 

Diana {significantly). I shall treat him as he deserves. 

Colonel. He is a man of honor, and one of the hardest 
workers the Confederacy has ever had. We should feel 
gratified that he cares to visit us, and try and make his 
stay as pleasant as possible. 

Diana. Why do you place such implicit confidence in this 
man? 

Colonel (hotly). Because he is a gentleman and a man of 
influence. Further, he has done me the honor to ask 
for your hand in marriage. 

Diana (slowly). He — has — done — that? 

Colonel. Yes ; I— I had not meant to tell you this, pre- 
ferring to let him speak for himself. 

Diana. And what did you tell Mr. Fleming ? 

Colonel. That I freely gave my consent to the match, and 
that I thought he could secure yours. He said he had 
never met a woman so queenly and beautiful as yourself. 

Diana. Papa, I 

Colonel. Don't interrupt me. Aside from being a man 
of honor and influence, Fleming is a man of considera- 
ble wealth. The war is nearly over, our fortunes are 
shattered, and there is no prospect of regaining them 
through ordinary means. I have every reason to be- 
lieve that Fleming will lay his fortune at your feet to- 
night. I trust you will treat him as a dutiful daughter 
should. 

Diana. A dutiful daughter should stand up for her rights. 
She should not sell her honor for the sake of a few 
paltry dollars in the hands of a man, who, while pro- 
fessing to be able to save her father from ruin, is but 
playing a game to get her in his possession. I shall 
never marry Frank Fleming ! Never I 
29 



EEB FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Mrs. B. Diana, I honor you for your sentintients. I regret 
that such an idea of bartering our girl should have en- 
tered your father's head. 

Colonel (uneasy). Why, Mary, I 

Mrs. B. (rising). James Burton, I have loved you as few 
women can love ; I love you still. But that does not 
blind me to my sense of duty. 

Colonel. But Mary, I 

Mrs. B. Let me finish. 1 cannot sit idly by and see you 
ruin Diana's life. She shall marry the man of her 
choice — whoever he may be — even though we starve ! 

Colonel {angrily). So you're both against me, eh? You 
are thinking of yourselves without any thought for my 
wishes. Fleming will be here soon. See that you treat 
him courteously, or you shall rue it. 

(Exit fioisily. He can be heard tramping doiV7i the stairs.) 

Diana. What shall I do, mamma ? I never realized we 
should have to face a crisis like this. (Sadly.) To 
think that he would barter me to save himself from 
financial ruin ! 

Mrs. B. (arms about her). There, dear. Your father is 
hardly himself to-day. The strain of the campaign is 
telling on him, and when he has had time to think 
things over calmly, he will change his mind. Leave 
him to me. 

(Enter Addie, r. u, e. She seems rather wan and tired.) 

Addie. Was that Uncle James ? 

Diana. Yes ; he has gone down-stairs. 

Addie. I'd like so much to see him if you don't mind. 

Mrs. B. Why, of course, we don't mind. Addie, you act 

so strangely of late. (Goes to her and puts arm about 

her.) What's the matter, dear? 
Addie. I — I don't know; really I don't. I — I've been 

shut up here so long, I think it's getting on my nerves 

a little. That's all. (Suddenly.) Uncle James didn't 

say anything about papa, did he ? 
Mrs. B. Not a word. 
Addie. Oh, if I could only hear from him — to know that 

he was well, it would be such a relief— such a relief. 
Diana. The last we heard, he was alive and well with the 

commissary department of Grant's array. 
30 



BEU FRIEND, THE ENEMY 

Addie. Yes; bul just think; that was two months ago. 

Diana. Well, don't worry. There are plenty of chances 
that you'll see him within the next few days. 

Addie. Oh, do you think so ? 

Mrs. B. We are almost sure of it. James says the Union 
army will surely enter the city within the next forty- 
eight hours. 

(^Enter Lige, l. c. d.) 

Diana. And that means our boys will have to go. There's 

Lige, mamma. 
Mrs. B. {turning). Well ! 
Lige. Dat Mistah Fleming am below, missus, an' he say 

tell de ladies he'll be right up. 

(Addie gives a start.) 

Mrs. B. Very well, Lige ; you may go. 
Lige. Yas'm; I'sgwine. 

{Exit, L. c. D.) 

Addie. Is that man in this house again ? 

Diana. Unfortunately, yes. 

Addie. And he is coming up here? {She looks from 
Diana to Mrs. B. There is a pat/se, then both nod in 
the affirmative.) I — I must not meet him. Let me 
know when he has gone. 

{Exit, quickly, r. u. e.) 

Diana. Poor girl ! I hope for her sake as well as our own 

that the war will soon end. 
Mrs. B. She has had a hard time of it. Mr. Fleming 

made it especially disagreeable for her upon his first 

visit to this house. 
Diana. As he did for every one else. 

{Enter Fleming, l. c. d.) 

Fleming. Good-evening. It is indeed a pleasure to find 
myself once more under your hospitable roof. 

(Diana gives him a co7iiemptiious glance and, turning a7vay, 
begins to arrange objects on the table.) 

31 



HEB FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Mrs. B. My husband has stepped out, Mr. Fleming. 
Won't you be seated ? 

Fleming. After you, my dear Mrs. Burton. (She sits l., 
he c.) I met Colonel Burton below, and he told me to 
come up. {Looks at Diana.) What's the matter with 
your daughter, Mrs. Burton ? 

Mrs. B. I fail to understand you. 

Fleming. It would appear that she holds some grudge 
against me, though what I have done to merit her dis- 
pleasure I cannot imagine. 

Mrs. B. My daughter is feeling indisposed to-day, sir, so 
you will have to pardon any seeming discourtesy on her 
part. 

Fleming. Yes, yes, certainly — but — er — I see no reason 
why she should not be civil, even though she is indis- 
posed. 

Diana. You will oblige me by leaving me out of the conver- 
sation. 

Fleming. But you are doing me an injustice. I do not 
deserve this treatment. Surely there is some cause for 
your animosity. 

Diana. There is a cause, and you shall hear it. Mamma, 
will you leave Mr. Fleming and me alone ? (Mrs. B. 
bows, and exits, l. c. d. As she closes door, Flem- 
ing laughs, seats himself oji sofa down l. and lights a 
cigarette.^ Gentlemen do not smoke in the presence 
of ladies without their permission. 

Fleming {cynically). Oh, I beg pardon ! 

{Laughing, he 7valks up stage and throws cigarette in fire- 
place, thefi resumes seat 07i sofa. ) 

Diana. Now, sir, it is better that you and I come to an 
understanding. Upon your previous visit to this house 
you insisted on annoying me by connecting my name 
with that of a young Federal officer whom we both 
knew in the North before the war. I have never men- 
tioned your conduct to my father. Had I done so, 
you would not be in this house to-day. Since that 
time I have never ceased to wonder how such a des- 
picable specimen of humanity could hold the position 
of chief of the Confederate secret service. 

Fleming. Miss Burton, really, now 

Diana. After this, knowing ray dislike for you, you have 

32 



HER FRIEND, THE ENE3IY 

been to my father, and after throwing in his face the 
fact that he is on the verge of financial ruin, you have 
the audacity to ask his consent to a marriage with me. 

Fleming (nodding). True. 

Diana. May heaven help my father if he gets into your 
clutches ! He mistakes for friendship your assumed 
generosity in offering to save him, but 1 know it for 
what it is — a plan to get me in your power. 

Fleming. All very nice, Miss Burton. You have given 
me your ultimatum. {Ris€S.) Now, listen to me. It 
is true that I want you for my wife, but because I love 
you, not from any baser motives, as you seem to 
imagine. 

Diana. Oh, I am well aware of your motives. 

Fleming. I am going to win you. 

Diana. What will you do when I tell my father of your 
villainy ? 

Fleming. You will never tell him. 

Diana. You threaten me? 

Fleming. Oh, put your fears to rest. I shall not use vio- 
lence. I hold a better card than that. 

Diana. What do you mean ? 

Fleming. I mean this : Your Yankee lover, Jack Fern- 
brook, has been caught spying within the Confederate 
lines, and is at this moment confined in Libby Prison 
under your brother's charge. 

Diana. 1 don't believe you ! 

Fleming. Then I am sorry for Fernbrook, for I was about 
to explain a method by which you might get him out 
of this very serious predicament. 

Diana. I don't beheve you — I tell you, I don't believe 
you. 

Fleming. I'm sorry. I also regret that I shall be com- 
pelled to tell Berkeley that he is the jailer of the man 
you love. 

Diana. Oh, you think to fool me with this scheme you 
have concocted, but I tell you Mr. Fernbrook is not in 
Richmond. How dare you lie to me — how dare you ? 

(She draws her self up facing him. He looks at her a mo- 
ment^ then laughs.) 

Fleming. A very pretty picture, Miss Burton. But that 

33 



BER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



does not alter the fact that every word I have spoken is 

the truth. 
Diana. Your proof, then. 
Fleming. I took good care to provide myself with proof. 

(JDraivs paper from pocket.) Here is an order given 

Lieutenant Burton regarding the prisoner. 1 think it 

will satisfy your doubts. 
Diana. It is a forgery ! 
Fleming. If you doubt its genuineness, show it to your 

father, who is familiar with every paper, every seal, 

owned by the Confederate government. 
Diana. Let me see that paper. 
Fleming. With pleasure. 

{Starts to show it to her. She snatches it.) 

Diana (readitig). " The prisoner placed under your charge 
is Fernbrook, a Union spy. He is to be shot at sun- 
rise. I hold you responsible for his safety. Signed, 
Wagner, Major-General." 

(Diana reels. Fleming starts to catch her, but she waves 
hivi off.) 

Fleming. Mr. Fernbrook 's chances seem rather slim, do 

they not, Miss Burton ? 
Diana. This is a scheme of yours to be revenged. Mr. 

Fernbrook is not a spy. 
Fleming. He was caught within our lines. You know 

what that means in the game of war. 
Diana. And you — you were the man who caught him ? 
Fleming {bows, laughing). I had that honor, assisted by 

a few faithful soldiers. 
Diana. But why, why have you had him sentenced to be 

shot ? {She speaks in an appealing tone.) 
Fleming. The order is signed by General Wagner, Miss 

Burton. 
Diana. Yes; after you hod first made a charge against the 

prisoner. If you had told General Wagner that Mr. 

Fernbrook was merely a prisoner of war, this could not 

have happened. 
Fleming. Exactly. 

Diana. Then why did you lodge a false charge ? 
Fleming. The charge is not false. But supposing it was 

false, why should I not do all in my power to sweep 

34 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



him from my path ? He has said things to me that a 
man can neither forgive nor forget. I warned him that 
if he ever entered my Hfe again, I'd crush him, and by 
heaven, 1 mean to do it. 

Diana. Oh, you coward ! 

Fleming. Calhng names won't save him. Miss Burton. 
Yet you have it in your power to secure his release this 
very night. 

Diana. You mean ? 

Fleming. I mean that if you will consent to be my wife, 
Fernbrook shall go free, on his promise to keep out of 
my way in the future. 

Diana. You know I would die rather than consent to that. 

FlejNIING {^taking out watch). AVell, you have just sixty 
seconds in which to decide. Remember — 1 am the 
only man holding proofs of Fernbrook's guilt. I can 
destroy these proofs and say that I have been mistaken 
in my man, and Fernbrook will be merely a prisoner 
of war. But if matters take their present course, noth- 
ing can save him from the fate of a spy. 

Diana. 1 — I refuse to consider the matter further. 

(^Turns away.) 

Fleming. Then let me bid you good-evening. (Starts.) 

Diana (turning quickly). Stop ! Don't — don't — go — 
yet ! Let — me — think ! (For a moment she struggles 
with her emotions, while he stands ivaichingy a cynical 
smile on his face.) And if — if I should consent to be- 
come your wife, how am I to know that you will keep 
your word ? 

Fleming. You'll have to trust me. 

Diana. Will you swear to save Jack Fernbrook from death, 
and do all in your power to see that he is safely ex- 
changed ? 

Fleming. Yes. 

Diana. If I could only trust you ! 

Fleming. You can trust me, Miss Burton — Diana 

Diana. Stop ! It will be time enough for familiarity when 
you have carried out your share of the bargain. 

Fleming. I love you — you must know that, and if I agree 
to let Jack Fernbrook go free, he'll go free — that's all. 

Diana. Then I may consent to become your wife. You 
shall have my answer this evening. (He starts toward 

35 



EEB FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



her.) Wait. My feelings toward you are not changed. 
I hate you with an undying hatred. If I become your 
wife, it will be on condition that you bring to me proofs 
that Jack Fernbrook is safe in the Union lines. Is that 
understood? 

Fleming {bowing). It is. 

Diana. Please remember I have this hold on you : if you 
fail to keep your word, I shall tell my father everything, 
and then I wouldn't give a straw for your life. 

Fleming (bowing). I salute you as the future Mrs. Fleming. 

Diana {turning from him with a little sob). Perhaps. To- 
night. Go ! 

{Enter Colonel, l. c. d.) 

Colonel. Fleming, my boy, I am delighted to see you 

here. 
Fleming {7vith significant look at Diana). And I can 

truthfully say that I am delighted to be here. 
Colonel. Been having a little tete-a-tete, eh? (Smiles 

indulgently.) Well, young folks must have their frolics. 

But come along, now — supper has been waiting for five 

minutes. Come, Diana. 
Diana {down r.). You'll have to excuse me — Pm not 

feeling well to-night. 
Colonel. You give up too easily to trifles. 
Diana. It will do no good to urge me. 
Colonel. Very well. Where is Addie? 
Diana. In her room. 
Colonel. I'll have Lige call her. 
Diana. Don't. She is not well. 
Colonel. What, another? Well, come along, Fleming. 

As long as I have known women, I can't understand 

them. 
Fleming. They are queer creatures, Colonel. {Laughs.) 

{Exeunt, l. c. d.) 

(Diana rises, then pauses as if undecided. She goes up to 
L. C. D., starts to exit, thinks better of it and tur7is. 
As she turns enter r. u. e., Fernbrook. He is bare- 
headed, his hair rumpled, his clothes torn. He comes 
in quickly on tiptoe, stops, and draws back suddenly on 
seeing DiAt^ A.) 

Fernbrook. Diana ! 

36 



BER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Diana {Jiysterically^. Jack ! {There is a slight pause, 
during ivhich she recovers her composure^ draws her- 
self 2ip proudly?) What — what are you doing in this 
house ? 

Fernbrook. I have just escaped from prison. Fearing 
pursuit, I ran into the first house that appeared to af- 
ford a hiding-place. I did not expect to find you here 
— I do not understand 

Diana. Then you didn't know you were in my father's 
house ? 

Fernbrook {slowly). Your — father's — house? I see it 
all. I did not know this — I had not the slightest sus- 
picion of it. What must you think of me, Diana? I 
will go at once. {Starts.) 

Diana {moving toward Iwn). You — you are going ? 

Fernbrook. What else is left for me to do? 

Diana. But they may capture you before you are out of 
the house. 

Fernbrook. I must take the risk. I cannot remain and 
compromise you. It would be the madness of pre- 
sumption to think of it. 

Diana {relentiiig). And yet {Pause.) 

Fernbrook. I know what you are thinking, but you must 
do nothing rash. You cannot take the risk of having 
me discovered in this house. 

Diana {decisively). I cannot let you go. You say you 
fear pursuit. The prison guards may even now be on 
your track. You must not — you shall not leave this 
house ! 

Fernbrook {seizing her hand). Listen. If I am found 
here with you 

Diana. Why, you are weak and ill, I can see it. If I let 
you go I could never forgive myself. But you say you 
escaped from prison ? How did you pass the guards ? 

Fernbrook. In one wall of my cell I found a cleverly- 
concealed tunnel, which some poor fellow had evidently 
prepared for his own use, I discovered it purely by 
chance, and when darkness fell I crawled through into 
the outer air. It is only the matter of moments when 
my escape will be discovered. I'd give anything I 
possess to be safe within the Union lines. 

Diana. When were you captured, Jack? 

Fernbrook. Yesterday morning. I was on a scouting 

37 



HEB FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



expedition to determine the position of one of the Con- 
federate regiments. In some way I became separated 
from my men and wandered through the enemy's lines. 
I was surrounded and captured by a party of men 
headed by the traitor, Fleming, who, I understand, is 
a spy in the service of the South. 

Diana. Then you were only a prisoner of war ? 

Fernbrook. Yes, but Fleming swore I was a Union spy. 
His men took away my uniform, and left me these 
clothes. General Wagner believed him, and I was to 
have been shot at sunrise. 

Diana. Jack, that man is here ! 

Fernbrook. Who — Fleming ? 

Diana. Yes ; he is in this very house. 

Fernbrook {starting for the door). Show me where he 
is! 

Diana (restraining hint). No— no— you must not risk 
discovery. 

Fernbrook {coming back). You are right — it would be 
madness. But whenever I think of that man and what 
he has done, every nerve in my body is on edge, and I 
long to get my hands on him and crush him. 

Diana. Have patience — your opportunity will come in 
time. At the present moment, we have other and 
more important things to think about. 

Fernbrook. I still insist that I shall only be doing my 
duty in leaving this house at once. 

Diana. Are you deaf, sir, or did you hear me say you 
could not go ? 

Fernbrook. Ah ! that's the way you used to speak to me, 
Diana. Do you know what it will mean to me if I 
remain ? 

Diana {hanging her head). What will it mean? 

Fernbrook. It will mean the return of the old love. Al- 
ready my heart is aching at the sight of you. But I 
cannot hope — it — it — would be madness to hope that — 
that your feelings toward me can have changed. 

Diana {softly). Time changes all things, Jack. 

Fernbrook (delighted). Diana ! 

Diana. It is true that I have felt the humiliation the Northern 
oppressors have visited upon us ; but sadness and suf- 
fering have brought me to think more of my own hap- 
piness than I did a few years since. {Hands on his 

38 



HER FRIEND, THE ENE3IY 



shoulders.) God help me if I am doing wrong, but it 
is the return of the old love that prompts me to urge 
you to stay. 

Fernbrook (^taking her in his arms). Bless you ! 

Diana {Jiead on his shoulder). This doesn't look very war- 
like, does it? 

Fernbrook. I am tired of war. But there — tell me what 
to do, 

Diana. The first thing is to call Lige. ( Taps bell on table. ) 
He is faithful to me in everything, and together we 
must devise some plan for your safety. Lige can keep 
his eye on papa and Mr, Fleming. 

{Enter Lige, l. c, d,) 

Lige (starting in amaze me 71 1 as he sees Fernbrook). 

Lordy, who's dat? 
Diana. Lige, this is only Mr. Fernbrook, a very dear 

friend of mine. You will remember seeing him at 

Uncle Zeb's. 
Lige. Yas'm — yas'm — I remembers. 
Diana. He has just escaped from prison, and he is to be 

concealed in this house until an opportunity offers for 

his further escape through our lines. I want you to 

watch papa and Mr. Fleming, and report to me when 

there is danger of discovery. 
Lige. A'right, lil' missy ; ah'll do anything yo' says. 
Diana. You may go now, 
Lige. Yas'm — I's gwine. 



o 



{Exit, r. u. e.) 

Fernbrook. Now that that is settled, what do you intend 
doing with me ? 

Diana. I am going to find you a safe place of conceal- 
ment. 

Fernbrook. Where I can see you ? 

Diana. If you behave. 

Fernbrook. I'll go anywhere, do anything, to be near you. 

{Enter Lige, hurriedly, r, u. e.) 

Lige {excited). Oh, fo* de lub ob goodness, HI' missy ! 

Diana {startled). What is it, Lige? 

Lige. You'd bettah hide Marse Fernbrook quick. Marse 

39 



HEE FRIEND, THE ENE3IY 



Berkeley Burton en two prison guards am below in de 
hall a-talkin' to de kunnel. Dey hab tracked an 
'scaped prisoner to dis house, dey said, an' dey'll be up 
heah in er minute, suah. 

{While LiGE is speakings <?«/^r Fleming, l. c. d. He draws 
back into half -open door as he sees them, then takes key 
from inside afid quietly places it in outside of door, 
smiles triumpha7itly , and exits, locking it.) 

Diana. Jack ! They have found you ! There is only one 
thing for you to do. You cannot leave this room. 

Fernbrook. I know. Well? 

Diana {pointing). You must crawl up that chimney ! 

Fernbrook {surprised). Up the chiuniey ? 

Diana. Yes; it is your only chance. No one will think 
of looking for you there. The bottom edges are rough 
and you will have no trouble clinging there until I can 
get the men out of the room and avert suspicion. 

Fernbrook {smiling). I am in your hands. 

Diana. Quick, Lige — that footstool ! 

LiGE. Marse Fernbrook, hurry up — hurry up ! Dey's 
liable to cotch yo' if yo' don't disappear mighty 
sudden. 

Fernbrook {kissing Diana). Till we meet again ! 

Diana. And may it not be long ! {The stool is placed in 
the ashes, and stepping on it ivith Lige's assistance, 
Fernbrook disappears from sight up the chimney.) 
Help him, Lige, help him ! 

Lige. Trust me, lil' missy — trust me. I knows a way. 

(Lige puts stool back in its accustomed place and exits hur- 
riedly r. u. ^.,just as enter Colonel at;/^ Lieutenant 
Berkeley Burton, same entrance. At the same fnO' 
ment Fleming unlocks door l. c, and enters with a 
cool smile. Diana has composed herself and is sit- 
ting at table, a book in her hand.) 

Fleming. He must be here, gentlemen. He could not 
have escaped through either door. I have had this one 
locked ever since I discovered him in this room, and he 
could not have passed you in the hall without being 
seen. {To Diana, with a sneer.) What have you 
done with him, Miss Burton ? 
40 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Diana {coollyj as she rises). I do not understand you, sir. 
What is the meaning of the excitement ? 

Colonel. Daughter, there has been a grave charge laid at 
your door. Mr. Fleming declares he saw you in con- 
versation with a Union officer in this room. Such a 
man has escaped from the prison, and Berkeley and his 
men have tracked him to this house. What have you 
to say for yourself? 

Diana. Mr. Fleming must be troubled with defective eye- 
sight. The idea of a Yankee being in the room with 
me! It's preposterous. {Laughs.') 

Berkeley. Then you deny, sis, that there was a man in 
the room with you ? 

Diana. No ; I do not deny that. 

Fleming. You see? She does not deny it. {To her.) 
Who was he, and where is he now ? 

Diana. It was Lige, Mr. Fleming, and he went down the 
front way just as papa and Berkeley came up. 

Fleming {angrily). But I saw you talking to a Federal 
officer from that door there. Don't you think I can 
believe the evidence of my own eyes ? What is more, 
I recognized the man we've been in search of — Jack 
Fernbrook, the spy ! 

Diana {turning an appealing glance on Colonel and 
Berkeley). Papa ! Brother ! Will you stand idly 
by and see this man accuse me of harboring a spy ? 
{Pause — they appear discomfited.) For shame ! 

Berkeley. Well, the spy was tracked to this house. 

Diana. I tell you there has been no spy in this room. 

Colonel. You say you saw the man here, Fleming? 
Prove your words — where is he now ? 

Fleming. That I will proceed to show you. Let us reason 
a moment. We came in through the only doors which 
open out of this room. Our men in the street would 
have caught him if he had gone through a window. 
The natural inference is, then, that the man must be 
concealed somewhere in this room. There is but one 
place in which he could successfully hide. 

Colonel. And that is 

Fleming {with a triumphant look at Diana). The chimney ! 

Diana {staggering slightly). Papa! Berkeley! I — I 

Fleming. See how that affects your daughter. Colonel 
Burton ! Her actions are a plain admission of her guilt ! 

41 



SEB FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Diana {placing herself in front of fireplace). Papa, I have 
given you my word there has been no spy in this room, 
yet you accept the word of that man in preference to 
mine ! {She favors Fleming tvith a withering glance.) 
Desperate measures demand desperate remedies. 

Colonel. What are you going to do? 

Diana {drawing s?nall revolver from folds of her dress) . 
I'm going to teach you to respect my word. Mr. Flem- 
ing says there is a man in this chimney. Very well ; 
let him search it, but he will do so over my dead body ! 
{She grows hysterical, staggers slightly, hand to head, 
and Berkeley seizes her suddeiily from behind and 
wrests the weapon from her grasp. At the same mo- 
ment Colonel pulls her away from the fireplace. 
Diana struggles fiercely to get back.) No — no — you 
shan't — I say, you shan't ! {Still hysterical.) 

Colonel. One moment, daughter. This matter must be 
settled at once. 

Fleming. Berkeley, now's your chance ! Kneel and see 
with your own eyes the truth of my words. In that 
chimney you will find the Yankee lover of your sister ! 

(Berkeley kneels, revolver in hand, a7id peers up the 
chimney, then, rising, co? fronts Fleming, c.) 

Berkeley. Frank Fleming, you lie ! There is no one in 
that -chimney ! 



QUICK CURTAIN 

{Second Curtain — Diana in chair at table. Colonel and 
Berkeley bending over her. Fleming on his knees, 
peer i tig up in chimney.) 



42 



ACT III 
SCENE. — Same as previous act, the following day. 

(^Discovered — Mrs. B. entering r. u. e., Colonel at table ^ 
reading. He lays paper down at her approach.) 

Mrs. B. When do you leave, James ? 

Colonel. I don't know yet. I have been reading a copy 
of the "Times." It certainly takes a bitter view of 
the situation. 

Mrs. B. (cofnitig down to table). And quite naturally, 
don't you think ? 

Colonel. Quite naturally, to be sure. The papers are 
now discussing the future of the men who must lay 
down their arms at no very distant date. For, you 
know, all of our boys who survive will have to begin 
the struggle of life anew. There is hardly a plantation 
in the South that has not been ruined, and our prin- 
cipal cities are in much the same condition. 

Mrs. B. {sadly). I suppose that is one of the penalties of 
war. 

Colonel (rising). The question has resolved itself into 
this : What right have these Yankees to come down 
here and drive us out of our homes ? What right has 
the Union to presume that we — but, pshaw ! You've 
heard all this before. I'll change the subject. 

Mrs. B. We might better discuss the fearful predicament 
Diana is in. 

Colonel. You are right. I wish I could free her from all 
suspicion. 

Mrs. B. I still insist that your suspicion is misplaced. 

Colonel {petulantly). Of course — of course ; and you'll 
go on insisting as long as you have breath left in your 
body. But that does not alter the fact that she has 
evidently been harboring a spy in my house. 

{He paces nervously back and forth.) 

Mrs. B. I feel, James, that Diana's word should be taken 
in preference to that of Mr. Fleming. 

43 



HEB FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Colonel. What have you against Fleming ? 

Mrs. B. Only this : 1 do not believe he is acting fairly in 
his treatment of you. He is abusing your hospitality 
for his own selfish ends — of that I am sure. 

Colonel. VVhy argue the matter ? No woman can see 
this business in its true light. Further, I know Flem- 
ing to be a man of honor. He would not say he had 
seen a spy in my house unless it were the truth. 

Mrs. B. Well, might he not have been mistaken as to the 
identity of this person he saw ? Diana said Lige had 
been in the room but a few minutes before this, and 
Mr. Fleming, ever suspicious, might have made a 
mountain out of a hill. 

Colonel {dismissing the subject with a wave of the hand'). 
Oh, impossible ! I refuse to argue longer. We have 
been harboring a Federal spy, and I mean to have him, 
dead or alive, if I have to tear down every building on 
the premises. That is final, Mary. 

{E?iter Lige, l. c. d.) 

Lige. Mistah Fleming am below, sah, an' says can he 

speak wif yo', Marse Kunnel ? 
Colonel {gtuffly). Show him up ! 
Lige {looking apologetically iozvard Mrs. B.). He — he 

say — say — say, sah, dat he would like t' speak wif yo' 

alone, sah. 
Mrs. B. {rising). I will go. 
Colonel. No ; stay where you are. I want you to hear 

what he has to say. {She resumes her seat. To Lige.) 

I have no secrets from your mistress, Lige. Tell Mr. 

Fleming so, and show him up. 
Lige {griujiing). Yas'r — yas'r — I'll tell him. 

{Exit, l. c. d.) 

Colonel. Fleming has perhaps found some trace of the 
spy, He detailed three men to watch the premises last 
night and they have been making a pretty thorough 
search. I hope for Diana's sake he may be caught 
and render a satisfactory explanation of his presence in 
this house. I should like to believe she had no hand 
in this business, but I shall have to be convinced be- 
yond any question of doubt before I exonerate her. 

44 



HER FlllEND, THE ENEMY 



(LiGE shows Fleming in l. c. d.) Ah, how are you, 
Fleming ? {To Lige.) That's all. 
LiGE. Yas'r — I's gwine. 

{Exity L. c. D.) 

Fleming. I trust I am not intruding. Good-morning, 
Mrs. Burton. {She bows coolly.) 

Colonel. We are always glad to see you. What news ? 

Fleming. I — er — shall I speak before Mrs. Burton ? 

Colonel. Certainly— certainly — what makes you so cau- 
tious, man ? Speak out ! 

Fleming. 1 have been engaged in secret work so long, 
Colonel, that I am naturally cautious in everything 1 
do. 1 meant no offense to Mrs. Burton, I assure 
you. {Bows to her. ) 

Colonel {impatiently). But the news — the news ! 

Fleming. We cannot find a trace of Fernbrook. 

Colonel. Huh ! Too bad — too bad. {Shakes head 
gravely.^ Well, he has been too clever for us — that's 
all. 

Fleming. On the contrary, he is not clever at all ; remem- 
ber, I know him. An element of luck has entered into 
the matter — an element which we have so far been 
unable to cope with. I would have staked my life that 
he was in that chimney. 

Colonel. Well, one thing is certain — he got out. And 
we've got to find him or our reputations are ruined. 

Fleming. 1 realize that, and the search shall be prosecuted 
with renewed vigor to-day. Will you come with me? 

Colonel. Yes — yes ; I may be able to render you some 
assistance, Fleming. {They go up l. together.') 

Fleming. I trust we have not wearied you with our dis- 
cussion, Mrs. Burton ? 

Mrs. B. No ; I have been deeply interested. Remember, 
you have brought an accusation against my daughter, 
sir, and one of which I am sure she is entirely innocent. 

Fleming {coldly). I followed only my duty, madam. 

(^Exeunt Colonel ^?«^ Fleming, l. c. d.) 

(Mrs. B. sinks into chair near table j head in her hands. 
At this moment the voices of Lige and Chloe are heard 
off I..) 

45 



MEB FRIEND, THE ENE3IY 



Chloe. I tell yo' I won't gib hit t' yo', yo' low down black 
niggah. 

LiGE. But, Chloe, yo' ain't got no right t' dat — 'fore good- 
ness, yo' hain't. 

Chloe. Don't make no diff' rence; I's gwine to show dis 
t' de missus, an' yo' cain't stop me. 

(^Enter Chloe, l. c. d., a long dirty rope in her hand. 
LiGE, a hang-dog look on his face, shuffles in behind 
her,) 

LiGE. Yo' bettah gib me de rope, Chloe — yo' bettah do 
hit. If yo' don't I's gwine fo' t' tell de kunnel. 

Mrs. B. Dear me, another row ! What's the matter, 
Chloe? 

Chloe. See dis yere rope, missus ? {Comes doiun, holding 
it gingerly out in front of her.) Hit am Marse Berke- 
ley's bran' new lasso-lariater, dat he use t' whirl aroun' 
his head like de cowboys done do, an' frow ober a 
post. Whar yo' think I foun' dat lasso-lariater ? Why, 
in de kitchen stove, missus, whar' dat fool niggah must 
'a* stuck hit. Lucky dere wasn't no fiah dere ! 

{Points accusingly at LiGE. ) 

LiGE. I didn't do hit, missus — no, ma'am. She don't 

realize what she's sayin'. She hadn't oughter excuse 

me ob sich an act. I could hab her 'rested fo' 'scusin' 

me of false circumstances. 
Mrs. B. Well, this is a strange proceeding ; why, the rope 

is almost ruined. 
LiGE. Well, I don' know nothin' 'bout hit; reckon dat 

wench must 'a' stuck hit in dar herself. 
Chloe {glaring at hini). Yo' knows I didn't do hit, an' 

if I didn't do hit, who did do hit? Dat's what I'd 

like t' know. 
Mrs. B. Well, take the rope and clean it, Chloe, then 

hang it where it belongs. I'll look into this. 
Chloe. All right, missus. 
Mrs. B. And don't let me hear you quarreling again. 

Chloe. Yas'm, but, missus, do I hab t' ? 

LiGE. Shet up ! Didn't she tell yuh not t' be so obnoxious 

wif yo* language? Git along down t' de kitchen, 'fore 

I gits des-prate. 

46 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Chloe {moving slowly toward l. c. d.). I'll tell de 
kunnel on yuh, Mistah Lige. Dat's what I'll do. 
Now, yo'll jes' see ! 

LiGE. If yo' does, dar won't no rascalities Stan' in de way 
ob what I'll do t' yo'. 

{Exit Chloe, head in the air. Lige folloivs her ttp, stops 
in door as if about to speak to Mrs. B., then exits 
after her.') 

Mrs. B. (as he goes). Remember — no more trouble ! 

Lige {as he goes). No, missus ; no more trouble. 

Mrs. B. {thoughtfully). I wonder if Lige did put that ro})e 

in the stove, and what his purpose was? It's strange — 

very strange. 

{Enter Berkeley, hurriedly, r. u. e.) 

Berkeley. Ah, mother ! 

Mrs. B. Why, my son, what brings you here ? 

Berkeley. I'm going away. {Kisses her.) 

Mrs. B. Going away? 

Berkeley. Yes ; on an important mission. I may be 
back to-morrow evening, but there's no certainty of it. 
These Yankees have too many men for our wasted 
troops, and I reckon they'll be in the city in a day or 
so. I wanted to have a talk with you before I left. 

Mrs. B. Very well, Berkeley ; ease your mind at once. 
I can see that something is wrong. 

(Berkeley sits doivn, l.) 

Berkeley. It's about that business of last night, mother. 
I'm all at sea. At first, I was hot against Fleming 
when I found he had made the mistake of thinking a 
man could crawl up a chimney like that ; but he has 
been telling me more facts to-day, and by putting two 
and two together, I have reached the conclusion that 
Diana deliberately deceived us last night. 

{Enter Diana, r. u. e., while he is speaking.) 

Diana. Never speak ill of a girl behind her back, Berke- 
ley. 

Berkeley {turning quickly). Oh, so you're here, are 
you? Well, I'm glad you heard. A fine mess you 
had us in last night ! 

47 



HER FRIEND, THE ENE3IY 



Mrs. B. Berkeley, be more respectful to your sister. She 

is not at all well, and for that reason, if for no other, 

is entitled to your consideration. 
Berkeley. Weil, there's no use crying over spilled milk. 

The damage is done. The thing now is to repair it. 

This Yankee must be recaptured, or my whole career 

is ruined. 
Mrs. B. Ruined ? How ruined ? 
Berkeley. Why, can't you see? He was in my charge — 

he escaped. Iw other words, I had given my word for 

his safekeeping. 
Diana. But you were not responsible for his escape. 
Berkeley, Of coarse, I was responsible. The fact that 

no one knew of the tunnel doesn't mend matters. He 

found it and got away. 
Mrs. B. But you did your best to capture him. 
Berkeley. Oh, yes, we hit his trail, all right, and maybe 

you can imagine my feelings when I found he had 

turned into our yard. Even then I did nut know this 

man was coming here for a clandestine meeting with 

my sister. (/;2 an appealing tone, turning to Diana.) 

Why do you hesitate, when you see the position I'm 

in? 
Diana (coolly'). Why do you appeal to me ? 
Berkeley. Because Fleming has told me all. 
Diana. Just what has he told you ? 
Berkeley. That this spy whom you have aided to escape 

is a Northern lover of yours — a Jack P'ernbrook. 

(Sneer ingly.) You must think a lot of him to turn 

traitor to your family. 
Diana. Berkeley, don't go too far ! 
Berkeley. A Southern girl who defends a Yankee doesn't 

deserve any consideration. 
Diana. Berkeley, I am heartily ashamed of you and your 

narrow-mindedness. You have called me a traitor. 

Well, if defending a man I love — a man who is just as 

true and honorable as any that breathes. South or 

North — is traitorous, then I am a traitor and 1 glory 

in it ! 
Berkeley (starting up quickly'). Then you admit this 

Fern brook has been here ? 
Diana. Yes, I admit it. Do you suppose I am ashamed 

of it? 

48 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Bkrkeley. a fine lover he is to come to the house of a girl 

and risk compromising her. 
Diana. He did not even know I lived here. His only 

thought was to escape from the men who had unjustly 

condemned him as a spy. 
Berkeley. Unjustly? He was caught within our lines. 
Diana. Yet he is not a spy. 

Berkeley. He could offer no proof of his innocence. 
Diana. Why? Because this man, Fleming, told the offi- 
cers he was a spy, and stole his blue uniform ! Many 

a good man has gone to his grave on circumstantial 

evidence. 
Berkeley. Oh, stand there and defend your fine gentle- 
man. I demand to know his hiding-place. Are you 

going to remain a traitor to your family and to the 

South ? 
Diana. If you were not blinded by false pride you would 

not speak in this tone to me. I blush that you are my 

brother ! 
Mrs. B. Diana ! 
Diana. Nothing I could say would hurt him as deeply as 

he has hurt me. 
Berkeley. Am I to take it that you refuse to reveal the 

whereabouts of this man ? 
Diana. No; 1 will tell you where 1 hope and believe he is 

at this moment. 
Berkeley (eagerly). You will ? 
Diana. Yes; safe within the Union lines ! 
Berkeley. Then you aided him to escape? I thought as 

much. 
Diana. I aided him all I could, because I love him. 
Berkeley. Mother, use your influence. Diana should not 

be allowed to disgrace the family this way. 
Mrs. B. She says she loves him, Berkeley, and that he is 

an honorable soldier. 1 have every confidence in her 

discretion. 
Berkeley. But her lover is an enemy of her country. 
Mrs. B. What of that, ray son, if he is a gentleman and 

she loves him ? 
Berkeley (/^//^j/^r/;/^). What — what — what of it? Well, 

what do you think of that ? Why, he's fighting against 

us, for one thing 

Mrs. B. He is fighting for the cause he thinks is right. 

49 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Berkeley. So you're against me, too? Well, it's useless 
to argue with a woman. 1 am going. {Starts up.') 

Diana {detaining him). Don't go off in anger, Berkeley ! 
Though I love you dearly, and appreciate the position 
you are in, Jack Fernbrook is all the world to me. It 
is not my fault that he is fighting against the South. 1 
love him; that is enough. You have never loved, 
Berkeley, or you would feel some compassion for your 
unhappy sister. 

(Berkeley hangs his head while she is speaking, but finally 
looks up. There is a pause as they stand looking at 
each other y her ha fid on his shoulder affectionately.) 

Berkeley. Sis, I guess you're in earnest. It's rather a 
bitter pill for me to swallow, but if you love this man, 
as you say, why — why, I — well, I hope, for your sake, 
that he's safe within the Union lines ! There's my 
hand on it ! {He extends it.) 

Diana. Berkeley ! {She is delighted, a7id throws her arms 
about his neck.) You don't know how happy you've 
made me. 

Berkeley. Now, I want you and mother to do me a favor. 
As I said before, I'm going away, and before I leave I 
— I — well, I want to see Addie alone. 

Diana. Why, Berkeley, can it be possible — can it be pos- 
sible that you are in love with Addie? {Surprised.) 

Berkeley {nodding). I am in love with her. I'm not 
ashamed to tell you. Do you think there's any hope 
for me ? 

Diana. I believe if there's no hope for you there will never 
be hope for any one. 

Mrs. B. She's a dear girl, my boy. We'll send her in at 
once. 

Berkeley. Well, hurry, mother. I've no time to lose. 
{He kisses them.) And good-bye till I come again. 
{Exeunt Mrs. B, ^«^ Diana, r. u. e.) Well, this is 
turning out better than I expected. I suppose it's the 
best way after all. I've made sis happy, if nothing 
more. 

{Enter Addie, r. u. e.) 

Addie {timidly). Did you wish to see me, Berkeley? 

50 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Berkeley. Yes ; I've got to leave Richmond, Addie, and 
I — 1 — well, I wanted to say good-bye. 

( Takes her hands. She does not look at him^ but hangs her 
head as if embarrassed.) 

Addie. You — are — going — away ? 

Berkeley. Yes; I've been ordered out of the city on im- 
portant business. I don't know when I'll see you and 
the folks again, though I hope to return to-morrow, so 
I thought — that is, I thought — er — well — that — er 

Addie. You're squeezing my hands, Berkeley. 

Berkeley. Oh, I — 1 beg your pardon, Addie, I — I 

Addie. Oh, that's all right ; I like it. But you said you 
thought — er — well — that — er — well, what did you think ? 

Berkeley. Well, you see I've something to tell you. I've 
been going to tell you for a long time, but {Pause, ) 

Addie. Well, why didn't you? 

Berkeley. Well, I didn't know how you'd take it. 

Addie. Oh, I see, and — er — you know now ? 

Berkeley. Er — er — no — that is, I don't know, but I'm 
going to find out. Addie, if I'm alive at the end of 
this war, will you be my wife? 

Addie (slowly, as if but dimly realizing what he has said). 
Be — your — wife ? 

Berkeley. Yes. I've loved you ever since you came here 
three — no, four — years ago. 

Addie. Four long years. Don't you think it took you a 
long time to tell me ? 

Berkeley. Well, I guess it did. But your answer is ? 

Addie. Yes. 

[She hides her face quickly on his shoulder. He puts his 
arfns around her, then raising her face, kisses her.) 

Berkeley. You're too good for me,, Addie, but I'm glad 
I've got you. No wonder sis sticks up for Fernbrook, 
if she loves him like this. 

Addie. Mr. Fernbrook is a fine man, Berkeley. 

Berkeley. What ! Do you know him ? 

Addie. Why, we were raised in the same town. 

Berkeley. Well, I'd accept any one on your recommenda- 
tion. I hope you won't tire of your bargain. 

Addie. Never. 

51 



UEB FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Berkeley. Well, I must be off. 1 must leave you to tell 

mother and sis the news. Good-bye, sweetheart. 
Addie. Good-bye, Berkeley — good-bye. 

(Exif Berkeley, l. c. d. Addie drops m chair left of 
table y and putting her head on her arms sobs violejitly.') 

{Enter Mrs. B. «;z^/ Diana, r. u. e.) 

Diana {going quickly to her). Why, Addie, what's the 
matter ? 

Addie {still crying). Oh, I'm so happy— I'm so happy ! 
Boo, hoo, hoo ! 

Diana. Happy ? Because brother has gone away ? 

Addie. No, no; because we're going to be married. Boo, 
hoo, hoo ! 

Diana. There, there ! 

Mrs. B. {taking Addie in her arms). There, you dear 
girl, you've made us happy, too. 

Addie. But he's gone away, and he won't ever — ever come 
back. Boo, hoo, hoo ! 

Diana. Why, of course he'll come back. There, there — 
stop crying. Did Berkeley tell you what he did? He 
sided with me about the little affair of last night. And 
now, if 1 can win papa over, all will be smooth sailing. 

Addie. What have you done with Jack Fernbrook, Diana? 

Diana. I ? Not a thing. I hope he's safe with the Fed- 
eral army. 

Mrs. B. I have been fearing to ask you. I thought per- 
haps you had hid him in this house. 

Diana. I haven't the remotest idea where he is, mamma. 
His escape from the chimney last night is not only past 
my understanding — it is nothing short of miraculous. 

Addie. Why, you don't mean to say he crawled up that 
chimney ? 

Diana. Yes, he must have done so, and I hope he got 
away, but the mystery is beyond me. I have implicit 
faith in his good judgment, however, and know he will 
let me hear from him as soon as possible. 

Mrs. B. Well, you girls are worn out. With this success- 
ful culmination of your love affairs, some sleep should 
be possible. You both need it. So come; if any- 
thing important occurs I'll awaken you. {They go 
up R.) But I think nothing short of Federal control 

52 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



of the city would serve to excite us after the events of 
the last two days. 

(^Exeunt, R. u. e., Mrs. B., Diana and At>-die..) 

{Enter Lige, l. c. d.) 

LiGE (^looking about cautiously). Yas'r, dey's gone suah 
enuff. Huh ! I reckon lil' missy am jes' worryin' 
herse'f t' deaf ober de captain. (^Chuckles.) I reckon 
I could tell her somethin' 'at'd make her open her eyes. 
{Chuckles.) I reckon dey finks dey'U find de captain 
by searchin' dis yere place, but I reckons dey won't — 
no siree ! 

{Enter Chloe, l. c. d.) 

Chloe. Oh, youse is up heah, is yo' ? 

Lige (turnifig). Reckon yo's got eyes in yo* topknot. I 

doesn't hab t' make any extra exclamations t* inform 

yo' ob mah presence, does I ? 
Chloe. Yo's up t' some debbilment. 
Lige. I ain't. 
Chloe. Yas, yo' is, an' I's gwine t' find out what it am. 

First, I finds Marse Berkeley's bran* new lasso-lariater 

in de kitchen grate. Who sticks it dar? I dunno ! 

But I'se got some likely suspicitations. 
Lige (sullenly). Don't know nothin' 'bout de old rope. 
Chloe. Well, nex* I finds yo' sneakin' round de house 

like yuh was 'fraid ob yo' own shadder. I jes* say t' 

mahself : " Dar's somethin* wrong wif dat fool niggah." 

Now, yo* *splain yo'self ! 
Lige {nervously). I tells yuh dar ain't nuffin' de mattah. 

Yo' eyes am deceivitatin' yo*. 
Chloe {stertily). No, mah eyes ain't deceivitatin' me, 

neither. I knows jes' what's de mattah wif yo', Lige 

Burton. 
Lige. Wh-wh-what am de mattah wif me? 
Chloe {leaning toward him significantly). Yo's got er 

secret ! 
Lige {Jumping). Oh, Lordy ! 
Chloe. AVhat's de mattah now? 
Lige {chuckling). 1 was jes' jumpin* fo* joy, t' think I 

had a secret an' didn't know hit. 

53 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Chloe (gleaning toward him earnestly). Ain't yo' got er 
secret, suah enuff? 

LiGE {looking cautiously about ^ then holding finger to lips). 
Sh ! [He steals softly to l. c. d.) Sh ! {Crosses to 
R. u. E.) Sh ! {He looks under sofa, Chloe watch- 
ing him with open mouth.) Sh ! {Goes to her cau- 
tiously, speaking weirdly.) Yas, I's got er secret — an 
orful secret ! A secret dat'll make yo' shake like de 
debbil. Makes mah hair nearly stand on end ebery 
time I thinks ob dat secret. Oh, me ! Oh, my ! 

Chloe {scared). I — I — don' know dat I wants t' heah 'bout 
hit. Am hit suah enuff bad ? 

LiGE. Course hit am. It'll ha'nt yo' all yo' natcheral life. 
Hit's jes' hke a big white spook, wif two big clammy 
hands stretched out t' grab yo'. 

Chloe. Oh, Lordy ! 

LiGE. Come a little closter — I's got t' whisper hit. 

Chloe {eyes rollings bending nearer). Yas, yas — now, 
what am hit ? 

Lige {gravely). Yo' knows de big fireplace in de dinin'- 
room ? 

Chloe {nodding, breathlessly, mouth open). Uh-huh ! 

Lige. Yo' knows de secret stone undah which ole Marsa's 
Marsa's Marsa was said t' hab hid his treasuh ? 

Chloe. Uh-huh ! 

Lige. Well, I went in dar a while ergo, an' I pull dat stone 
out, an' what does yo' think I found ? 

Chloe. I — I dunno, Lige. What yo' find ? 

Lige. Er hole in de floor ! 

{He bursts out laughing, bending over and slapping his 
knees. Chloe stands looking at hifn^ an itidignant 
expression on her face. Enter Fleming, l. c. d., 
sees them, pauses a moment, then, drawing pistol from 
belt, tiptoes up behind Lige unobserved by either hitn or 
Chloe.) 

Chloe. What fo' yo' startle me like dat ? 

Lige. 'Cause yo's so smart. Yo' hadn't oughter git 
startled so easy. I nebber would git scart at nuffin' — 

I — I (Fleming, from behind, sticks barrel of 

pistol around in front of his face. Lige's eyes begin 
to roll, then droppi?ig 07t his knees, he begins to pray.) 
Oh, Lordy, Lordy, hab a lil' mercy. What hab dis 

54 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



pooh niggah eber done dat yo' should stick er gun in 
his face? Please go ervvay; I won't fool Chloe no 

moah. Oh, Lordy, if you'll only — only 

Fleming. Get up, you lazy nigger, or I'll put a bullet 
down your throat. Get up, 1 say ! 

{/al's him with pistol.) 

LiGE {opening eyes, looking up slowly, grins'). I — I know'd 
hit was yo* all de time, Mistah Fleming. 

Fleming. Don't he to me ! (Lige gets up.) Now, listen ! 
You know something about, the disappearance of this 
Yankee spy. 

LiGE. No, sah, no, sab — I don't know nuffin'. 

Fleming. You were here in the room with him; I saw 
you, and if you don't tell me where he is in two min- 
utes, I'll blow the top of your head off. 

LiGE {drawijig himself 7fp proudly). Yo' makes a mistake, 
Mistah Fleming, in comin' t' me fo' information. 1 
don't know nuffin' 'bout de Yank, en if I did I wouldn't 
tell you ! 

Chloe. Dat's right, Lige — dat's right. 

Fleming. You impudent black rascal ! I want informa- 
tion, I tell you. If you don't tell me I'll shoot you 
where you stand. 

Lige {folding arms, and looking him in the eye). Den I 
reckon you'll hab t' shoot, sah ! 

Fleming. By heaven, I will ! {He goes up r., turns and 
aims pistol at Lige who is down c, a little to l. 
Chloe is l. c.) I'll count three, and if you don't 
speak before, you're a dead nigger ! One ! {Pause.) 
Two ! 

(Lige does not move. Chloe seems spellbound. Enter 
suddenly, Diana, r. u. e. Reaching from behind she 
wrests "the weapon from Fleming's grasp. He turns 
with a startled exclamation.) 

Diana. I don't believe I'd count any farther, Mr. Flem- 
ing ! 

Fleming. Why do you interfere? 

Diana. Why do you intimidate my servants, Mr. Flem- 
ing? 

Fleming {forcing a laugh). Why, the whole matter was a 
joke. 

55 



HEB FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Diana. I don't believe you. Lige, what has happened 
here ? 

LiG2. Chloe en I was in heah talkin', lil' missy, wlien dat 
man come in an' say dat I knows where de Yankee 
captain am, an' dat if I don't tell him, he'll shoot me. 

Fleming. The nigger lies 1 

Chloe. No, sah, he don't lie — he am tellin' de trufe ! 

Fleming {to Diana). Will you take the word of these 
niggers in preference to mine ? 

Diana. Every time, Mr. Fleming. {To Lige ^?/^ Chloe.) 
Lige, you and Chloe may go. And mind you, not a 
word of this to any one, unless I tell you. 

Lige. Yes, lil' missy. 

{He moves slowly up, followed by Chloe. Exeujit, l. c. d.) 

Fleming {looking after him). Curse his impudence ! 
Diana. Now, Mr. Fleming, you and I will have a final 

settlement. 
Fleming. It is for that very reason you find me here, 

Diana. 
Diana. Miss Burton, to you, sir. 
Fleming {laughing sneer ingly). Very well, Miss Burton. 

What I have to say to you can be said as well along 

strictly formal lines. Before I begin, kindly hand me 

that pistol. 
Diana. I will hold the pistol. 
Fleming. Don't think the gun will give you the upper 

hand. 
Diana. I am not seeking trouble, Mr. Fleming. If there 

is trouble you will bring it on yourself. 
Fleming. There will be no trouble if you accede to my 

wishes. 
Diana. I will accede to nothing. On the other hand I 

expect to show you where it is to your advantage to 

accede to mine. 
Fleming. As to that we shall see. I feel bound to tell you, 

however, that — 1 — I Oh, oh, good heavens ! 

( Clasps hand quickly to his side and staggers against 

a chair on which he leans for support^ writhing back 

and forward as if in agony.) It's — it's the — the 

old pain, come back after all these years. Miss Burton, 

I — I — hate to ask it, but I must have some water, and 

56 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



have it quickly. Don't hesitate — do this for me, I beg 
you ! 
Diana. I cannot see even an enemy suffer. I will get the 
water. 

{Laying revolver on the table she starts hurriedly for l. c. d.) 

Fleming (recovering suddenly). Never mind the water — 
this is what I wanted ! (He springs to table and 
seizes the weapon.) Thanks, so much, for your tender 
sympathy ! (Laughs.) 

Diana. Coward, to take advantage of a woman ! 

Fleming. Remember, all is fair in love and war. At any 
rate, you had no scruples about taking advantage of me 
a while ago. 

Diana. I refuse now to discuss matters with you. I shall 
see my father and my brother — then action will be the 
word ! {^Starts toward R. u. E.) 

Fleming (seizing her by the wrist, a?id pulling her down 
stage). You'll stay here ! 

Diana. Let go — you are hurting me ! (He refuses.) 

Fleming. First listen to me. I love you, and you're going 
to be my wife. Your father has given his consent and 
yesterday in this very room you said that when certain 
conditions were fulfilled you would give yours. I have 
come to-day to tell you that those conditions have been 
fulfilled. 

Diana (startled). I don't believe you ! 

Fleming. You don't want to believe me. Nevertheless, 
Jack Fernbrook is safe within the Union lines. 

Diana. I trust you are right, but he had no aid from you 
in getting there. 

Fleming. You are wrong ; he had every aid it was in my 
power to give. This morning I found him hiding in a 
large feed box in your father's barn. I procured for 
him a Confederate uniform and a horse. Then I gave 
him a passport. If he reached the Federal lines in 
safety he was to send me a note to that effect. To-day 
the note came to our lines under a flag of truce. 

Diana. I don't believe you ! 

Fleming. You are familiar with Fernbrook's writing. 
There's the note — see for yourself. (Gives it.) 

57 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



{Enter Fernbrook o?t tiptoe, l. c. d. He starts on seeing 
tJiefn, standifig arms folded at back.) 

Diana. This note is a forgery — it must be a forgery. I 
don't believe Jack Fernbrook ever wrote it. {Reads.) 
"I am safe within the Union lines. Thanks. Fern- 
brook." 

Fleming. Now the spy is disposed of, I shall hold you to 
your promise. 

Diana. You have yet to satisfy me with proof. 

Fleming. I have kept my word, and you shall keep yours ! 
You shall — do you hear ? 

{Seizes her roughly, raising hand as if to strike. Fern- 
brook steps quickly down between them, with revolver 
in Fleming' s/<3;^tf.) 

Fernbrook. I don't believe I'd strike her, Fleming ! 

Fleming {startled). Fernbrook ! 

Diana. Jack ! {She seizes his arm nervously.) 

Fleming. You, you 

Fernbrook. Take care. There is a lady present. My 

coming in unannounced seems to have unnerved you. 
Fleming. You haven't unnerved me, you Yankee upstart 

—I'll— I'll 

Fernbrook. Take your hand off that gun. 

(Fleming obeys, muttering beneath his breath.) 

Diana. Then this man did not help you escape as he 
claims? 

Fernbrook. No ; that is simply a litde tale concocted for 
this occasion. I have no doubt he would like to help 
me escape — into another world. But I'm afraid he'll 
get there first. Luckily Lige knew Fleming was in 
here looking for trouble and came and told me. 

Diana. But where have you been ? How did you escape 
from the chimney ? 

Fernbrook. By means of a rope with Lige at the top of it. 
Really, it is an easy matter to ascend the inside of a 
rough chimney when some one is pulling you. {Smiles.) 
Since then I've been in Lige's room. 

Fleming. I knew you were in that chimney ! But all your 
scheming will avail you nothing. 

58 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



(^Moves slowly tozvard -r. u. e.) 

Fernbrook. Don't look so sneaking, Fleming — you have 
my permission to go through that door. 

(Fleming starts to make hasty exit, but is met by Lige who 
enters, a big pistol in his hand. This he sticks in 
Fleming' s/iOJ^^.) 

Lige {grinning). Not dis time — some odder time ! 

Fleming. This is a trap ! 

Fernbrook. A man with a fair degree of intelligence 
would have divined that long ago. 

Fleming (turning to Lige). Nigger, listen to me ! You 
are in open rebellion against the Confederate govern- 
ment, and I can have you hanged as a traitor. Now, 
go below and tell the sergeant to step this way with his 
men. Tell them I have the Yankee and wish him 
taken into custody. 

Fernbrook. A nice game, but it won't work. Lige isn't 
under your orders. 

Lige. No, sah, I ain't. 

Fleming. I'll have you all hanged for traitors and spies — 
oh, I'll make you pay dearly for this ! 

Fernbrook. There is a bare possibility that you will some 
day be in a position to do that. Just now we are deal- 
ing with the present. Lige, disarm your prisoner ! 

Lige. Wif pleasure, sah. 

{Removes pistol from Fleming's belt.) 

Fleming. I refuse to submit to this indignity ! 

Lige (covering him). Stand still, yo' lazy niggah, or I'll 
put er bullet down yo' froat. 

Fernbrook. Now bind him, leaving his right hand free 
for the moment. (Lige, grin?iing, pulls a rope from 
his belt.) No; wait — first hand me that spotless gray 
coat. I think it will fit me perfectly, and Fleming is 
so fond of blue that he won't mind wearing mine. 

(Lige begins to strip ^^ Fleming's coat.) 

Fleming. I'll die first ! 
Lige. Den say yo' prayers ! 

Fernbrook (as Lige hands him coat). Now put this one 
on him. (Hands him his own.) I'll cover him, 

59 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



(Fleming strui^o^les, but the exchange is soon inade, 
Fernbrook dofifiifig the gray.) Now, before we bind 
him, Lige, we'll have a little exhibition of his penman- 
ship. Put him in that chair at the table. (Lige does 
so.) There, Fleming, are pen, ink and paper. Write 
as I dictate. (Fleming sullenly obeys.) ** This is to 

certify " Got it? All right. " to certify 

that the bearer is Captain John Holcamp of the First 
Mississippi Rifles, and is entitled to pass through the 
Confederate lines at will." Got it? {Looks over 
Fleming's shoulder.) Good — now, sign it ! {Pause. 
Fleming looks about for some last means of thwarting 
his enemy. Fernbrook sticks barrel of pistol against 
back of his head.) Sign it! (Fleming signs.) 
Thanks! (Fernbrook takes paper, folds it, and puts 
it in his pocket.) Now, Lige, bind your prisoner, and 
don't worry about your gun. I'll keep him covered. 
(Lige ties him securely.) Now, lay him flat in front of 
the fireplace. (Lige does so.) Now a bandage over 
his eyes, and a gag, and we're through. 
Lige. I's got a gag. 

(Still grinning, he pulls a dirty handkerchief from his 
pocket, and pulls ha?idkerchief from Fleming' s pocket.) 

Fleming. Not that — not that. I don't want that rag in 
my mouth after it's been in the nigger's pocket. 

Lige. Yo' can't help yo'self. Dis yere rag am a powerful 
sight cleaner den de mouf of any man dat insults a lady ! 

( Thrusts rag in Fleming's mouth, and ties other handker- 
chief over his eyes.) 

Fernbrook {quickly). Now, Lige, we must act ! Go tell 
the sergeant to step this way with his men. 

(Fleming rolls partly over, writhing, but fails to loosen 
rope, a7id finally lies still.) 

Lige. A' right, sah — I's gwine. 

{Exit, R. u. e.) 

Fernbrook {kissing Diana). Keep a brave front, and up- 
hold me in all I do. 
Diana. I have every faith in you, Jack, and you will al- 

60 



BEE FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



ways find me waiting here for you. But be careful for 
my sake. 
Fernbrook. For your sake, anything ! Sh ! they are 
coming ! 

(Zr<? kisses her again and draivs back to L. c. Diana down 
L. Fleming before fireplace.') 

Enter R. u. E., sergeant and tivo men all in Confederate 
uniform, follotved by Lige, who stands ?//r. Sergeant 
stops R. C, salutes.) 

Sergeant. The nigger says, sir, you have caught the spy 
and want me to take him in ? 

Fernbrook. He is right, sergeant. I am Captain Hol- 
camp. There lies the spy. (Points to Fleming.) He 
is desperate. Be careful and see that the gag is not re- 
moved until he is safely in a cell. 

{Sergeant salutes, looks at Diana as if for co?ifirmation. 
Fernbrook moves slowly to l. c. d.) 

Diana {drawing herself up proudly). You heard Captain 
Holcamp's orders, sergeant — there lies your man ! 

{Points. Fernbrook smiles and exits ^ quickly y l. c. d.) 



curtain 

{Second curtain — Sergeant and men have picked up Flem- 
ing, and are movijig 7vith him toward r. u. e. Diana 
and Lige are looking on anxiously.) 



6i 



ACT IV 

SCENE.—Same as Acts II and III. The following day. 

{^Discovered — Lige standing before fireplace, hands behind 
him, watching Chloe, who is polishing furniture with 
a rag.) 

Chloe {stopping suddenly). Well, what yo' starin* at ? 

Lige. Nuffiii'. 

Chloe. Why, Lige Burton, you'se lookin' straight at me ! 

Lige {grinning). Well, ain't dat nuffin' ? 

Chloe. Some day I's gwine t' break yo' head. 

Lige. When dat day comes I ain't gwine t' be nowhere 

around. Say, Chloe, where yo' reckon Marse Berkeley 

went tuh ? 
Chloe. Don't know. He don't come en tell me his 

business 'fore he leabs. 
Lige. I heard he'd gone on a mission. I's powerful glad 

he wasn't heah las' ebenin' t' see dat Unior feller 

escape. 
Chloe. Who? Lil' missy's beau? 
Lige. Yep. 

Chloe. Did he git clean erway ? 
Lige. Yep; en since dat time Miss Dianar done been cryin' 

fo' joy. He was a mighty nice sort ob a feller, Chloe. 
Chloe. Yep, I reckon he were, if Miss Dianar liked him. 
Lige. Liked him? {Chuckles.) Well, I reckon she did. 

She lubbed him, an' she lubs him yet, en she gwine t' 

always keep on lubbin' him, an' some day I reckon 

dey's gwine t' be spliced. 
Chloe. Gwine t' be which ? 
Lige. Spliced — married. 
Chloe. How yo' know dat ? 
Lige. Lil' missy tol' me so herself. 
Chloe. En what dey do wif dat Mistah Fleming? 
Lige. De sergeant took him clean t' de prison 'fore dey 

took dat dirty rag outen his mouf an' found out who he 

was. By dat time dar wasn't no use chasin' de Yankee 

- — he was done froo de lines, 'cause I had er boss ready 
62 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



fo' him an' he went down de street jes' a-kitin' w'en he 
left heah. (^Laughs.) I'd like t' seen dat spy w'en 
dey took de rag outen his mouf. 

Chloe. Maybe yo' would en maybe yo' wouldn't. I 
'spect now de Yankee army'U soon be in Richmond. 

LiGE, Dey'd be heah in er minute if Marse Fernbrook 
could bring 'em, I reckon. He'll want t' see lil' missy 
mighty bad agin. I reckon when dey does come, 
Marse Fernbrook '11 be de fust man t* git heah. 

Chloe. I t'ought lil' missy done hated dem Fed'rals like 
pizen. 

LiGE. She do — mos' ob 'em, but dis yere Captain Fern- 
brook ain't included in de specifications, 

Chloe. En dey say Miss Addie am lookin' fo* her pa when 
de army come inter de city. 

LiGE. Yep ; reckon she am. Marse Zebediar am er mighty 
fine feller. 

Chloe. Jes' fink, Lige, w'en dem Fed'rals gits yere yo'li 
be a free man. 

Lige. Don' wanter be no free man ! 

Chloe. Dey can't keep yo* no longah unless dey pays yo' 
fo' yo' labor. 

Lige. Don't want no pay. I's servin' lil' missy, an' she 
don't wanter insult me by offerin' me no pay. 

Chloe. I reckon she wouldn't 'xactly do dat. 

Lige. Yo' ain't 'spectin' no pay, is yo' ? 

Chloe. Nope; I's been in dis yere fambly eber since I 
kin reccomember, an' I 'spects t' stay heah till de great 
day comes. Dar ain't no niggahs eber had no bettah 
home en we has. 

Lige. Dat's right. I wouldn't leab lil' missy if forty armies 
was t' come en set me free. 

Chloe. Does yo' s'pose dem Yankee Fed'rals'U kill any- 
body w'en dey gits yere? I's heard dey's mighty 
blood-thirsty people. 

Lige. Didn't yo' see Marse Fernbrook? I reckon he was 
a fair specimen ob de average Yank. No, sah — dey 
ain't so blood-thirsty. 

{Enfer Mrs. B., Diana and Addif:, r. i'. e.) 

Diana. Lige, will you tell ns how you helped Captain 
Fernbrook up the chimney? 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



LiGE. I's always ready t' please yo', lil' missy. It was dis 
erway: Wen I seen yo' hidin' him in de chimbley, 1 
got er sudden idee, en I rushed out quick as lightnin', 
jes' afore Marse Kunnel en Marse Berkeley come in, en 
gits dat rope er Marse Berkeley's en climbs outer de 
roof. I looks down de chimbley, en see Marse Fern- 
brook clingin* onter de rough sides fo' all he's worf. 
Den I chink a lil* piece ob dirt down on his head t' 
make him look up, en when he sees me 1 lowers de 
rope, motionin' dat I's gwine t' help him up. Den 
Marse Fernbrook he cotched de rope, an' w'en I pulled, 
he sort o' dim' right up. Den we drops de rope down 
de kitchen chimbley, where Chloe found hit en excused 
me ob false circumstances. An' den 1 hid Marse Fern- 
brook in my room. 

Diana. Lige, I shall never be able to repay you what I 
owe you, 

Lige. Don' want no pay, lil' missy. 

Mrs. B. The Yankees have already set you and Chloe free, 
Lige. 

Lige. We don't wanter be free, missus. Yo' wouldn't 
turn us pooh ole niggahs out in de cold, would yuh, 
missus ? 

Mrs. B. Of course not^ you shall stay as long as you 
wish. I simply wanted to let you know that you are 
slaves no longer. 

Diana. No matter ; Lige and Chloe shall stay, and when 
things are in a more prosperous condition they shall 
have a better time than they have ever dreamed of. 

Lige. Yo' am a-shoutin' now. Dis ole place habe always 
been home t' me, en 1 nebber wants t* leab hit fo' no 
one. I wants t' stay heah all my life. 

Chloe. I's been heah as long as Lige, missus, en I don't 
nebber want t' leab, neither. 

Mr.s. B. You shall both stay, so say no more about it. 

(^Enter Colonel and Berkeley, l. c. d. They are in a 
hurry.) 

Colonel. It's all over, Mary. 

{He kisses Mrs. B., then Diana. Berkeley takes Addie 
off to one side.) 

Mrs. B. You say it's all over, James? 

64 



REB FRIEND, THE ENEHTY 



Colonel. Yes. The Yankees will be in the city in a few 
hours or minutes. We have come to say good-bye. 

Diana. Where are you going ? 

Colonel. To fight to tlie last. We are still hoping against 
hope. But 1 fear the Confederacy is doomed. Lee's 
army is nothing but a band of ragamuffins, and while 
the hearts of brave Southerners still beat within the 
ragged clothes, they do not beat with the old fire. 
Our boys have never been the same since Gettysburg. 
Has anything been heard of the spy ? 

(Mrs. B. ant^ Diana exchange glances.) 

Diana. Why — er — yes, papa; I — I thought you knew. 

Mr. Fleming discovered him foraging about the place 

somewhere, and captured him, with the assistance of 

Lige. 
LiGE. Yas'r, en we suah had er tough time, Marse Kunnel, 

but we got him. 
Colonel. Good for Fleming ! I thought he was a man 

of his word. 
Berkeley. Come here, sis, I've something to tell you. 

{Pulls her down r. Colonel and Mrs. B. talk tip 

stage.) Was the spy really captured ? 
Diana {ivith a cautious look at her father). If you mean 

Mr. Fernbrook, he is safe with the Federal army. 
Berkeley. And Fleming? 
Diana. Was tricked, and has, I trust, left the city in 

disgrace. 
Berkeley. For your sake I'm glad things have turned out 

as they have. Well, kiss me good-bye, sis, and some 

day we'll be back safe and sound. 

{She kisses him. He then kisses Addie, who holds on to 
hinif half sobbing.) 

Addie. But I don't want you to leave me any more. 

(Diana goes up to her parents. ) 

Berkeley. Just this once, sweetheart. I'll be back before 

you know it. {He leads her up.) 
Colonel. Lige, have our horses brought around to the 

front of the house. We rode in by the side gate. 
Lige. Yas'r, yas'r, Marse Kunnel, I's gwine. 

6s 



BER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



{^Exit, followed hy Chloe.) 

Colonel. Good-bye. 

{Kisses Mrs, B., Diana ^;/^ Addie, in turn.) 

Berkeley. Good-bye. {Same business.') 
Ladies. Good-bye. Godspeed ! etc. 

(Exeunt Colonel and Berkeley, l. c. d.) 

Diana {to Addie, who is softly sobbing). Don't cry. 
They will soon return ; I feel it. This terrible struggle 
must soon be over now. 

Addie. And you think Berkeley's in no danger? 

Diana. None in the world. The lighting is over. 

Addie. I hope pa is safe. 

Mrs. B. We have every reason to believe that he is. The 
last word we had was that he was waiting before Rich- 
mond for a chance to get in and see you. I am going 
to the kitchen. I shall return presently. 

{Exity L. c. D.) 

(Addie seats herself in big chair in right corner near fire- 
place^ head in her hands. Diana stands at table nerv- 
ously fingering a book. Enter Fleiming, r. u. e. 
Does not see Addie. Goes down to Diana, right of 
table.) 

Fleming. Alone, eh ? 

Diana. You here ? 

Fleming. You have eyes. 

Diana. You are not yourself, sir. What do you want? 

Why are you not leaving the city with your comrades ? 
Fleming. 1 remain behind to watch the Yankees — and 

you ! 
Diana. I say, what do you want ? 
Fleming, Revenge ! 
Diana. Revenge on a woman? What a pity you were 

born a coward ! 
Fleming. You can redeem me even yet. For you I'd 

have the courage of ten men. 
Diana. I will not listen to you ! 

66 



HER FRIEND, THE ENE3IY 

(Addie is watching^ wild-eyed, the scene at the table, shrink- 
ing back in the corner as much as possible out of Flem- 
ing's sight.) 

Fleming. You'll stay here — that's what you'll do. (^He 
goes quickly ?// and locks door r. u., putting the key in 
pocket. 2'hen same business at l. c. d. Comes down 
again.) You see. 1 have you in my power — in my 
power, do you hear ? So you may as well reconcile 
yourself and listen to what I have to say. 

Diana. Why do you perssjcute me ? 

Fleming. Persecute you? Ha, ha ! That's good. What 
about me — say ? Now, let's come to an understanding. 

Diana. I'll have nothing to do with you. 

Fleming. Oh, yes, you will — yes, you will. You're going 
to be my wife, if not with your consent, then without 
it. I'm not particular. 

Diana. I'll die first ! 

Fleming. Huh ! I don't like mock heroics, but if you 
really mean it, say your prayers. 

Diana. Would you murder a woman ? 

Fleming. Pretty harsh word, that — murder ! I wouldn't 
murder any one. There's such a thing as removing a 
person without committing what the world calls mur- 
der. She might be mysteriously poisoned, for instance, 
or 

Diana. Stop — stop ! Are you a fiend ? 

Fleming. Hadn't thought about it recently, but probably 
I am. {There is a furious k flocking on door, l. c.) 
There's that cursed nigger ! He must have seen me 
come in. I'll fix him. {Draivs pistol.) 

Lige. I seen dat Mr. Fleming go in dar, missy. Whar 
am he now ? 

Fleming {shoving pistol against Diana's head). Tell him 
I've gone and this time make no mistake ! 

Diana. Mr. Fleming is here, Lige, and is threatening to 
kill me. 

( There is a pause. Fleming and Diana glare at each other. 
Then he lowers pistol again.) 

Fleming. 1 ought to shoot you. 

Diana. Why don't you? 

Lige. Shall I break down the doah, lil' missy? 

Fleming, . No, by heaven—I'll fix you ! 

67 



HEB FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



(Shoots straight at the door. There is a yell from Lige, 
then all is still.) 

Diana. What have you done? (Calls.) Lige! Lige! 
(JVo answer.) Oh, you have killed him ! 

Fleming. Good riddance to bad rubbish ! You see who 
holds the upper hand. Now, perhaps you'll listen to 
reason. There is just one way for you to open that 
door and go out of here a free woman — that is, as my 
promised wife. 

Diana. Rather than become your wife, I would submit to 
untold torture. 

Fleming. Then you shall pay for your obstinacy. Is it 
any wonder after what has happened that I'd rather 
kill you in cold blood than see you Fernbrook's wife? 
You don't realize how it tortures me. 

(Starts toward her. He has gradually bee ft working him- 
self into a frenzy which has its cubninatioii in this 
speech. She runs around the table, frightened, keeping 
it between them.) 

Diana. You are crazy — you don't realize what you are 
saying ! 

Fleming. Crazy? Yes; but who drove me there ? You, 
with your pretty face and haughty airs — you ! Can't 
you see I worship you? Say that you'll marry 
me and we'll go away together, away from this man, 
Fernbrook. It will serve him right to lose you. Will 
you do this to save him ? 

Diana. No — no I 

Fleming. Then I'll kill you both ! 

(Drawing revolver, he examines the caps, then stands glar- 
ing at her.) 

Diana (hysterically). No, no, no ! Don't kill me! Will 
this torture never end ? 

(She sinks into chair at table. A light of triumph ap- 
pears in Fleming's eyes, and he approaches her slowly, 
Addie, who has stood a siletit witness to the scene, her 
hands tightly clenched, her face displaying varying 
emotions, seizes a heavy pair of tongs from the fire- 
place, and tiptoeing down behind Fleming, strikes him 
over the head. He staga^ers and drops pistol,) 
63 



HER FRIEND, THE ENE3IY 



Fleming {Jo Addie). You sneaking chit ! So you were 
here all the time. Well, I'll attend to your case in 
short order. {Looks around for pistol.) 

(LiGE, a pistol in his handy slides down the chimney and 
lights in a sitting posture in the ashes. He covers 
Fleming. ) 

LiGE. Stop ! 

Diana. Thank God — thank God ! 

{Falls sobbing on sofa.) 

LiGE {rising, sloivlyy still covering Fleming, he advances 
do7vn c). Shall I shoot him, lil' missy? {Pause.) 
Oh, lil' missy! {Pause.) My heabens — 1 reckons 
you'se killed her ! 

{He starts toivard her^ relaxing for a moment his vigilance. 
Fleming with a spring is on his back. Lige falls to 
his knees and they struggle.) 

Fleming. We'll see who is master here, you black scoun- 
drel ! 

{They struggle back and forth across stage. Addie re- 
viving, runs to I., c. d. and pounds frantically.) 

Addie. Help — for the love of heaven, help ! He's mur- 
dering Lige ! 

Mrs. B. {outside l. c. d.). What is it, Addie — what is it? 
Where's Diana? 

Addie. She has fainted. It's Mr. Fleming. He's mad 
and is trying to kill us all. 

{The struggle continues, and after a moment shouts are 
heard without, mingled latth the heavy tramp of men 
on the stairs. Blows are rained on the door, as the 
struggle continues, and finally it is broken in. Enter 
Fernbrook and Zeb., followed by Mrs. B. and a squad 
of Federal soldiers. Zeb. takes Addie /// his arms, 
Mrs. B. goes to Diana, while Fernbrook seizes Flem- 
ing, a?id after causing Iiim to relax his grip on Lige, 
hurls him across the room, r., where he lies in a 
huddled heap.) 

Fernbrook. Well, sir, we meet again ! 

69 



HER FRIEND, THE ENEMY 



Fleming. I'll fix you yet ! 

Fernbruok. I'll attend to you in a minute. Where's 
Diana? (^Looks around.) What has happened? 
(^Goes quickly to sofa where Mrs. B. is trying to re- 
vive Diana. Fleming is up r. and Lige is craivling 
feebly toward fireplace.) If she's dead it will be the 
sorriest day of Fleming's life. 

Fleming. I hope she is dead ! 

{He lifts a pistol from the floor, but before he can take 
aim, Lige covers hiin.) 

Mrs. B. Do not tell me my daughter is dead, sir ! 
Fernbrook. No, madam, only fainted. 

{He starts to lift her into an easier position. She revives 
and seeing ivho it is throws her arms around his neck, 
sobbing violently.) 

Diana. Oh, Jack, Jack ! Don't let that man come near 
me ! 

{Looks across at Fleming and shudders.) 

Fernbrook. He can never harm you — he has reached the 
end of his rope. {Turns to his men.) Take that man 
into custody ! 

{The men start toivard R. Fleming rises.) 

Fleming. You'll never take me into custody. I know 
what's best for me, but before I do it I'll kill you first — 
I'll kill you first ! 

{He raises pistol, but before he can fire, Lige shoots him. 
He sways a moment, staggers to R. u. e., falls 
through.) 

Lige. I reckon dat got him, all right. (Fernbrook's 
soldiers rush across and exeunt, r. u. e. Reenter 
immediately.) Did I kill him? Did I kill him? 

Soldier. Yes, you got him ; he'll never trouble you any 
more. 

Fernbrook. Lige, you have saved my life a second time. 

Addie {nestling close to her father). The war was kind to 
bring you back to me — dear old dad. 
70 



HER FRIEND, THE ENE3IY 



Zeb. Well, I sorter made up my mind I'd get to Richmond 
somehow. (Mrs. B. goes to him,^ Sister ! 

{They embrace.') 

Diana {clinging to Fernbrook). Oh, Jack, is it all over? 
Fernbrook. Yes, dear, the danger, and the war, and all. 
Diana {looking up at him). And you are no longer my 

enemy ? 
Fernbrook. Sweetheart — were we ever enemies ? 



CURTAIN 



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